Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand will follow Nemanja Vidic out of the club this summer after he wasn’t offered a new playing contract.
The 35-year-old defender has spent 12 years at the club and making over 300 appearances and winning The UEFA Champions League, Club World Cup, six League Titles, and two League Cups.
Ferdinand joined for around £30m with add-ons from Leeds United in August 2002 and played in United’s final game of the season at Southampton on Sunday.
It’s believed that Ferdinand intends to continue playing but it’s not known which club he will sign for although rumours of a move to America’s MLS have been circulating in recent months.
Ferdinand’s decision will leave Patrice Evra as the sole remaining experienced defender at the club and the Frenchman’s contract also expires this summer.
United have made moves to recruit Southampton left back Luke Shaw to the club with a £27m bid reported recently.
There has been no news as to the identity of United’s new manager following the end of the season but interim manager Ryan Giggs has hinted that an announcement will be made soon.
UPDATED – A statement has been released by Ferdinand:
“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.
“I joined Manchester United in the hope of winning trophies, and never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined how successful we would be during my time here. There have been so many highlights, playing alongside some great players who have become good friends, winning my first Premier League title and also that fantastic night in Moscow are memories that I will cherish forever.
“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. Winning trophies I dreamed about as a kid came true at this great club.
“I am feeling fit and healthy, ready for a new challenge and looking forward to whatever the future holds for me.”