Rio Ferdinand Inducted Into Premier League Hall of Fame

Category: Sports News



Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.

The former centre-back – who also represented West Ham, Leeds United and QPR in his career – was selected after a vote by fans across the world from a 15 person shortlist.

Ferdinand becomes the 17th player to join the Hall of Fame after eight legendary stars were inducted in both 2021 and 2022.

He joins Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger in the ‘Class of 2023’, with the two Premier League icons the first managers to be inducted.

Ferdinand is one of the greatest top flight defenders of all time, winning six Premier League titles and racking up 504 appearances.

After breaking through at West Ham where he made his debut aged 17, he became the world’s most expensive defender when he joined Leeds in 2000 for £18m.

After excelling at Elland Road, he broke his own record two years later when he moved to Manchester United for £30m. On both occasions, he also broke the British transfer record.

Known as one of the greatest ball-playing central defenders of his era, it was this that set him apart from his peers, along with his natural pace and flexibility and his burning desire to win.