It was on this day eight years ago that Rio Ferdinand joined Manchester United from Leeds.

“I’m delighted to be joining Manchester United,” said Rio, then just 23-years-old. “I’m hoping to improve as a player and this is definitely a step in the right direction. I never thought in a million years I would be playing alongside players like Juan Sebastian Veron and Roy Keane. It was not an easy decision, but opportunities like this do not come round very often so I had to grab it with both hands.”

In his time at the club he has won four league titles, the European Cup, two League Cups and the FIFA Club World Cup.

It’s hard to believe that he’s just two years away from a testimonial… if his back doesn’t give up before then.

“I’m still loving every minute,” Rio said today.




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