Rio Ferdinand has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36.
The central defender started his career at West Ham in 1996 and quickly became a fans' favourite.
Ferdinand made his international debut in 1997 and his form for the Hammers led to a transfer to Leeds, who were in the middle of their extravagent spending spree in a bid to sustain Champions League football.
After two years at Elland Road, the 36-year-old crossed the Pennines to join Manchester United and it was at Old Trafford where he spent the majority of his career.
A missed drugs test cost him the chance to go to Euro 2004 but he won the Champions League with the Red Devils in 2008.
Injuries led to his decline in stature and he retired from international football after being omitted from the Three Lions' Euro 2012 squad.
He left Manchester United last year, joining QPR, but has endured the worst year of his life as he tragically lost his wife, Rebecca, to cancer.
