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Former Manchester Utd defender announces retirement from football

Less than a month after the death of his wife, Rebbecca, Rio Ferdinand has announced his retirement from football

 

After the exit of legends, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard from the English Premier League, another great will be missing from the league next season.

Unlike Lampard and Gerrard who will continue their career in the MLS, former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has announced his retirement from football.

The 36-year-old left Manchester United at the beginning of this season for London club, Queens Park Rangers.

undefined to the Championship, QPR released a slew of their first team stars including Ferdinand.

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The defender then decided to hang up his boot after a very illustrious and trophy laden career.

Ferdinand announced his decision live on BT Sport.

"After 18 years as a professional footballer I now feel it's the right time for me to retire from the game that I love," he said in his statement.

"Winning trophies over my thirteen years at Manchester United, allowed me to achieve everything that I desired in football. From a young child to today, that was all I cared about. None of that would have been possible, without the genius of one man, Sir Alex Ferguson.

"I'd also like to thank and pay tribute to my late wife Rebecca and my family, including my mother and father, for their sacrifices, their encouragement and their advice throughout my career."

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Rio Ferdinand made his senior debut at West Ham in May 1996 before moving to Leeds United.

In July 2002, he moved to Manchester United in a £30million which made him the most expensive British footballer at that time.

During his time at Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand won six Barclays Premier League titles.

The centre back struck up a formidable partnership with Nemanja Vidic under Sir Alex Ferguson during his peak years at Old Trafford which saw them win the League and UEFA Champions League double in 2008.

For England, he made 81 appearances before retiring from the in May 2013.

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He may have retired from football to spend time with his children after losing his wife, Rebbecca Ellisonundefined.

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