Ferdinand to call time on United career
- adamhigginsuk
- May 13, 2014
- 2 min read
Bowing out: Ferdinand has been a mainstay in the United defence since his arrival in 2002 but has been deemed surplus to requirements (Picture courtesy of Sky Sports)
RIO Ferdinand will leave Manchester United when his current contract expires in July after 12 successful years at the club.
The veteran defender was told he would not be offered a new deal by chief executive Ed Woodward after his final outing in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Southampton.
It is understood Ferdinand, who scored eight goals in 454 appearances, could return in an ambassadorial role in the future and intends to continue his playing career.
The 35-year-old won six Premier League titles, two League Cups, one Champions League and the Club World Cup during his trophy-laden spell at Old Trafford.
It has emerged he is not part of incoming manager Louis van Gaal's plans with the Dutchman’s arrival expected to be confirmed this week.
News of Ferdinand's departure comes after the loss of fellow centre-back Nemanja Vidic, who will join Serie A side Inter Milan at the end of the month.
United tweeted that the club "would like to thank Rio Ferdinand for his long and distinguished service, and wish him well for the future".
Ferdinand, who was named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2012-13, signed a one-year contract at the beginning of the season but was restricted to just 14 appearances in 2013-14 with Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones ahead in the pecking order.
He stated in a letter on his personal website: "I have thought long and hard over the last few months about my future and, after 12 fantastic years playing for what I regard as the best club in the world, I have decided the time is right for me to move on.
"Circumstances didn't allow for me to say goodbye the way I would have liked but I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my team-mates, staff, the club and the fans for an unbelievable 12 years that I'll never forget."
The former England international joined United from Leeds for a then British record transfer fee of £30m in July 2002, making his debut in the Champions League a month later.
He quickly became an ever-present in the heart of the Red Devils defence, captaining the team in the 2008 Champions League final victory over Chelsea on penalties in Moscow.
Ferdinand was a key member of the side which completed a hat-trick of Premier League titles between 2007 and 2009.
The ex-West Ham stalwart fittingly scored his last United goal in Sir Alex Ferguson's final home game in charge, the winner against Swansea in May 2013.
Ferdinand is part of the BBC's team of pundits for their coverage of the upcoming World Cup in Brazil but is widely expected to move to America's Major League Soccer after the tournament.
Last updated: 13 May 2014 18:52pm
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