Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand (born on November 7, 1978 in Peckham, South London) is a Manchester United and an ex-England international football player in his usual position is central defence.

Related Topics:
November 7 - 1978 - Peckham - London - Manchester United - England international - Football

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Ferdinand signed as schoolboy for West Ham United in 1992 and became a professional player under youth training scheme and showed immense promise, and was likened to the late Bobby Moore, the former West Ham and England captain. He made his first team debut on 5 May 1996 as a substitute in 1-1 home draw against Sheffield Wednesday. Ferdinand earned his full England cap as a substitute in a friendly against Cameroon in 1998. He played for his country at the 1998 and {{Wc|2002}}.

Related Topics:
West Ham United - 1992 - Bobby Moore - 5 May - 1996 - Sheffield Wednesday - Cameroon - 1998 - 1998

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He joined FA Premier League football club Leeds United on November 2000 for £18 million, then a British record. In August 2001, he became the captain of Leeds.

Related Topics:
FA Premier League - Leeds United - 2000 - British - 2001

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Ferdinand fulfilled his promise as a world-class defender during the 2002 World Cup, where his partnership with Sol Campbell boasts the stingiest defence during the tournament and he was immediately hailed as the finished product as a result for his confident marshalling of the English defence. On 22 July 2002, Ferdinand joined another Premier League club, Manchester United, on a £30 million fee with a five year deal to become the most expensive British footballer in history. He went on to win the Premier League championship with Manchester United in his first season. He has also collected runners-up medals in the League Cup (2003) and the FA Cup (2005).

Related Topics:
Sol Campbell - 22 July - 2002 - Manchester United - League Cup - FA Cup

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The Duran Duran song "Rio" has been used in football chants both for and against Ferdinand; in fact in 2002, fan Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran's lead singer) promised to re-record one of the football chants if the team won. (They didn't.)

Related Topics:
Duran Duran - Rio - Football chant - Simon Le Bon

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Rio's cousin is former English international striker Les Ferdinand, while his brother Anton is currently a first choice central defender for West Ham.

Related Topics:
Les Ferdinand - Anton

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