Rio Ferdinand is close to securing a free transfer to newly promoted Queens Park Rangers after leaving Manchester United at the end of last season.
Ferdinand was not offered a new contract at United and will follow defensive partner Nemanja Vidic out of the Old Trafford exit door after twelve glorious years at the dethroned Premier League champions. It has been reported that the former England international player, who was once the most expensive defender in the world, had offers to continue his playing career from clubs both in England and abroad but he has decided to move to Rangers and be reunited with Harry Redknapp.
The former Tottenham Hotspur boss was in charge at West Ham United when Ferdinand made his debut almost eighteen years back now in 1996 and the Englishman played four years under him before securing a £ 18 million move to Leeds United.
Ferdinand moved to United for a record fee in 2002 after standout performances for England during the 2002 World Cup and went on to win six Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League during his time at United.
But with retirement not on his mind at the moment, the 35 year old is willing to take a massive pay cut to play under Redknapp for the second time in his career at newly promoted Queens Park Rangers.
Rio’s younger brother Anton played for two years at Loftus Road before being moved on and with the Harry Redknapp and Queens Park Rangers looking to add Premier League experience to his squad, has identified his former protégé as the perfect man to be the leader of the defense that conceded the most number of goals in a Premier League during their last season in the top flight.
A move is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.