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Rio Ferdinand
| Biography |
Rio Gavin Ferdinand was born 8th November 1978 in Peckham. The footballer has been hailed as part of the new breed of elegant and cultured defenders in the European mould.
He burst onto the scene as a player at West Ham at 19 years old, got some caps for England and then was sold as a world record signing for a defender at that time. He was not selected for Euro 2000 (to the dismay of many, including the gathering international managers who wanted to have a closer look) but he was generally expected to grow into the England team as a long-term fixture.
A host of clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona, had been chasing the centre back, but in the end it was Leeds who produced the chequebook to seal a deal. Most surprising was that Leeds were prepared to smash not only the British transfer record, but also the world record fee for a defender to prise him away from Upton Park. The Elland Road outfit were prepared to pay £18million for Ferdinand, a fee, which sent shockwaves through the footballing world.
United paid £12m up front with another £6m to follow. Ferdinand took the number 29 shirt at Leeds, opting against keeping the number 15 jersey he had with West Ham. Sven Goran Eriksson gave Ferdinand a starting place in England's back four in the 3-0 friendly defeat of Spain in February, 2001.
The £18m man looked confident and assured alongside Sol Campbell. A firm favourite at Leeds after a fine 2000/01 campaign.
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