Rio Ferdinand joins QPR
Former Manchester United and England captain, Rio Ferdinand has moved to Queens Park Rangers on a one-year deal.
The 35-year-old left Old Trafford at the end of his contract this summer following a trophy-laden 12 years with the Red Devils and will now remain in the English Premier League.
Ferdinand will also be reunited with Harry Redknapp at Loftus Road after the current QPR boss handed him his professional debut for West Ham as a 17-year-old in 1996, and the veteran defender is eager to prove he still has something to offer.
“I spoke to Harry and (owner Tony) Mr. Fernandes at length,” he told the club’s official website. “I think they both looked me in the eye and knew that I still have something to offer – that I had a genuine desire to come here and play football.”
Ferdinand’s anticipated move to Loftus Road was completed on Thursday evening after he passed a medical.
Ferdinand, whose younger brother Anton and cousin Les also had spells at QPR, had been linked with a move to west London some weeks ago before a hold-up believed to be caused by a wrangling over wages.
“There are great memories for me here – for my family,” he said. “Anton had nothing but good things to say about QPR and I watched Les here as a boy, with the likes of Ray Wilkins, Clive Wilson, David Bardsley and Alan McDonald.
“I had a lot of offers from all over the world – some in places with a better climate than here. But the draw for me was to play in the Premier League and back here where it all started.
“It’s not about money – I had loads of more lucrative offers available to me. I still feel I’ve got something to offer and I’m excited about helping this club cement its place in the Premier League.”
Linking up with Redknapp always appeared to be a strong possibility and the boss is delighted to be able to work with Ferdinand again.
“Rio’s a fantastic player and a great professional, I’m delighted we’ve been able to bring him here,” he said.
“I signed Rio as a 14-year-old. He was class on the field and off the field then, and he’s continued in that manner throughout his career. During his time at Manchester United, he was the best defender in Europe, if not the world.
“To bring him to QPR, when he’s still got so much to offer in terms of his quality, class, experience and know-how, is a remarkable coup for the club.”
