Rio Ferdinand to retire from football at end of the season

Former England captain Rio Ferdinand to retire from football at the end of the season

The 35-year-old joined QPR in the summer on a free transfer from Manchester United but this will be his final season playing professionally



Former England captain Rio Ferdinand has announced that he plans to retire from football at the end of the season.

The 35-year-old centre-back, who cost Manchester United £30million when joining from Leeds United in 2002, has told The Jonathan Ross Show that this season with Queens Park Rangers will likely be his last.

Ferdinand joined the London club on a free transfer in the summer, after 12 trophy-laden years at Old Trafford, while a 14-year England career saw Ferdinand win 81 caps for his country, scoring three goals.

"I probably think the end of this season," Ferdinand told Ross, in an interview to be broadcast on Saturday evening, when asked about retirement.

"I'm not fearful of retirement, I'm looking forward to it, I can see some good stuff hopefully happening ahead.

"You get to a time where you start understanding your body and the strains playing football [is] putting your body through, going out and training every day."

Ferdinand, who began his career with West Ham United in 1996 has also played for Leeds United.

He was part of the BBC's World Cup coverage during the summer and he expects to stay involved in football in some capacity, while he has also begun taking his coaching badges.

"I've done it for so many years, it's what I love," he added.

"I will stay in football I'm sure in some capacity. I've signed to BT and stuff and I've done stuff with the BBC at the World Cup which I really enjoyed and it's something I'm sure I will take up and do a bit more [of].

"I'm doing my [coaching] badges as well and there are other bits and pieces outside of football."

Ferdinand's summer move to Loftus Road saw him reunite with Harry Redknapp, the man who gave him his senior footing in football at West Ham.

The defender had started all seven of the Royals opening league matches this season, but was left out of the starting XI for the weekend defeat by Liverpool.