Player's Profile - Rio Ferdinand

A young Rio Ferdinand

The Early Days

Born on November the 7th 1978' England 'London' Played for 4 clubs which are West Ham, Bournemouth (Loan) Leeds United and Manchester United. Rio started his professional career at the age of 16 which he was scouted by Frank Larmpard's father 'Frank Lampard Sr' his first professional debut was off the bench at Upton park as the match ended 1-1 vs Sheffield Wednesday. After this he went on and had more than 100 apps for the Hammers with scoring two goals.

Leeds United - 2000-2002

After a six years stay at the Hammers, he signed for Leeds United in 2000, he signed for them for a record-breaking £18 million (at the time) making his debut against the Foxes (Leicester City) at Filbert street, it wasn't a good day for Rio to remember as it ended in defeat (3-1) Rio did score the same amount of goals which he did at West Ham (2) He didn't stay that long at Leeds United as he did at West ham, Rio only stayed for 2 years. 

Leicester Celebrate as Rio's hand is on his head. Leicester win 3-1

The Big time - Manchester United

After an excellent performance in the 2002 World cup for Rio Ferdinand; his price tag raised up a lot as Leeds United sold him to Manchester United for estimate £30 million. He won the Premier League title in his first season at Manchester United. In his career he has won six league titles so far. Also Rio Ferdinand is a Club world cup winner and has won the Champions league in the rain at Moscow (2008) The only cup Rio Ferdinand hasn't won with Manchester United is the FA cup. Rio Ferdinand has not only been a defender for Manchester united, he also has played in goal after Thomas Kuszcak got sent off for giving away a penalty against Portsmouth and Edwin Van Der Sar went off injured earlier in the game. Unfortunately he couldn't save Sulley Muntari's penalty even though he went the right way. Rio has played for Manchester United more than 400 times and scoring a few good goals (8) as many do remember his wonder strike vs Liverpool in 2006 (2-0) In 2003 Rio missed his routine drug test because according to a few people he went shopping, however he did to the drug test later and passed but still got banned from playing for eight months and then coming back in a game against Liverpool and winning 2-1 in 2004. In everyone's eyes Rio Ferdinand is a world class footballer!

By RA