The Rio Ferdinand transfer saga finally ended today with the 23-year-old defender unveiled as Britain's most expensive player by Manchester United following his £30million transfer from Leeds.
England's star central defender at this summer's World Cup finals has signed a five-year deal with United after protracted negotiations finally came to a close this afternoon. United have agreed to pay Leeds £15million for Ferdinand, which makes him the world's costliest defender, and that fee could rise to £33.3million depending on appearances and the Reds' success over the next few years. United will pay a further £14.3million in July 2003, with the remaining balance - up to £4million - payable during the next five years, depending on the performance of United.
Speaking at the news conference at Old Trafford where Ferdinand was officially unveiled as a Utd player, Ferguson acknowledged that the signing had been a trying experience for all concerned: "A transfer like this one had to be difficult simply because Leeds are a big club and one of our fiercest rivals and there were three years left on his contract. But the most important thing was Rio wanted to come here. Things contributed to the deal but it was never going to be easy - and Peter Ridsdale will bear that out. It was a long road to get here today."
However, having finally got his man, Ferguson revealed his high hopes for the former West Ham player: "At 23 you know Rio has great potential. We're very confident he will mature here and develop into the best centre half in the world. The assets have been there since he was a kid. We had the opportunity to sign him when he went to Leeds but the timing wasn't right for us. But I think in the next three to four years we're going to get great service (out of him)."
Ferdinand, in a parting note to his former employers, paid tribute to Leeds, singling out former manager David O'Leary for praise: "I am leaving a great club in Leeds and I appreciate what they've done. Leeds went out on a limb to get me and not many would have done that. David O'Leary brought me on." Pleasantries aside however, the England star is obviously relishing the prospect of playing for Man Utd: "...I made my decision with my friends and family to come here and improve as a player. It was an easy decision. Opportunities like this do not come around that often. I don't want to sit around thinking about what I didn't do in my career." Ferdinand also revealed that he expects to line out in a Manchester United shirt for the first time at Old Trafford in a UNICEF benefit match against Boca Juniors on August 10.
Filed by James Boylan
