#3 Rio Ferdinand
Trending
Big Rio Ferdinand is well and truly retired now and currently acts as an expert on television, but the former Manchester United defender’s beginnings in the game can be traced back to his time at Upton Park.
Ferdinand was born around 10 miles away from Upton Park and joined the club back in 1992 and made his debut in 1996, after being scouted by Frank Lampard Senior. Ferdinand won the Young Hammer of the Year award in 1998 and attracted attention from Manchester United, but the approach was turned down.
An £18 million move to Leeds United followed and after impressing at Elland Road, the Englishman finally sealed a move to Old Trafford, where he went on to make more than 300 appearances in all competitions.
The defender retired after a brief spell with Queens Park Rangers and has gone down in history as one of the greatest English defenders ever.
