Rio Ferdinand
- Profession: Professional Football Player
- Place/Date of Birth: Peckham , 07 November 2020
Ferdinand was raised on the Friary Estate and was signed for West Ham in 1995, aged just 17. His reaction to this signing marked him out among other young footballers.
Instead of an alcohol-fuelled night out with the lads or a flashy car or designer clothes, the young player bought his mother a house in Kent.
His ambition is now to succeed Roy Keane as United captain. He says, "I will only get if is I deserve it". Bless.
Rio Ferdinand given Freedom of the Borough - 02/04/02
England defender and ex-Southwark resident Rio Ferdinand has gained recognition for his work in the community by being granted Freedom of the Borough by the council.
Biography
Rio Gavin Ferdinand was born November 1978 in Peckham to St Lucian/Anglo-Irish parents. Whilst still at school he signed for West Ham United, becoming a professional player as he rose through the ranks from youth team to first team, making his debut in 1996.
However, Rio wasn’t to stay with his local club and in 2000 signed for Leeds United for a record £18million. soon becoming the team captain. Not long afterwards he made records again as he moved to Manchester United in 2002, netting Leeds over £30million and bagging Manchester United the Premiership title.
As well as numerous UK successes Rio has also earned several England caps, making his international debut against Cameroon in 1997 and going on to play in three world cups. Rio faced controversy though in 2003 when he missed a drugs test, claiming he was preoccupied with moving house. He was banned for eight months, resulting in him missing Euro 2004.
Recently Rio has turned his hand to television presenting, in particular hosting Rio’s World Cup Wind Ups, a kind of footballers Punked. On a more serious note he has also worked on a documentary about murdered schoolboy Damilola Taylor.
updated October 2006
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