Rio Ferdinand is poised to sign a deal with newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers and be reunited with his former manager Harry Redknapp for the side’s Premier League return.
The 35-year-old former England international central defender, who ended his successful 12-year spell at Old Trafford at the end of last season, confirmed that he wanted to continue playing at the highest possible level before hanging up his boots.
It was believed that Ferdinand had several lucrative offers from overseas, including the American MLS, but he has decided to stay in England to help QPR re-establish themselves back in the top-flight following their promotion via the Championship play-offs in May.
Ferdinand will again link up with R’s boss Redknapp, the manager who handed him his first-team debut as a raw 17-year-old at West Ham, after his work as a BBC pundit at the World Cup in Brazil comes to an end.
Ferdinand should be fit enough to join in with his new team-mates in pre-season training because he has his own personal trainer with him in Brazil to ensure he can hit the ground running on his return.
Ferdinand could be joined by Fulham’s 33-year-old Norway international central defender Brede Hangeland who has been released from his contract at Craven Cottage following their relegation from the Premier League.
Hangeland is keen to remain in London and QPR are set to meet his £50,000-a-week wages to get him on board as Redknapp aims to shore up a backline that shipped 60 goals in their 2012-13 relegation season.
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