Rio rewarded with new deal May 15 2008
Rio Ferdinand has signed a new contract at Manchester United which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2013.
The new deal effectively means Ferdinand will spend the remainder of his playing career with United.
After originally joining the Red Devils in 2002, the former West Ham player has gone on to fulfil his promise of becoming one of the most accomplished defenders in the game.
"Rio's contribution this season has been a major factor in our outstanding defensive performance and I am delighted he has signed a new contract," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson also fuelled a growing belief that the 29-year-old has been earmarked as the club's next captain.
Ferdinand has taken the skipper's armband on a regular basis with Ryan Giggs used so sparingly towards the back end of the campaign and is likely to lead United into their UEFA Champions League final meeting with Chelsea on May 21.
And though Gary Neville will be back from injury next season, the implication is as soon as the long-serving full-back stands aside, Ferdinand will get the job full-time.
"Rio has matured into his role at the club and has shown, when needed, what a great captain and leader he can be," Ferguson added.
Coming just before United head out to Moscow, aiming to become European Cup winners for the third time, the news offers Ferguson and his men the perfect lift.
It also avoids the kind of long-running saga which characterised Ferdinand's last contract talks.
At one stage, the defender was booed by his own supporters as they failed to understand why negotiations were taking so long.
This time however, talks have been conducted smoothly, leaving Ferdinand delighted.
"Manchester United is a fantastic club and I am delighted I have signed a new contract," said Ferdinand, who clinched his third Premier League title after beating Wigan on Sunday.
"It is a great honour to be part of this trophy-winning team and to share in the success, which I am sure will continue for many seasons to come.
"I would like to thank the manager, the coaching staff, the players and the fans for the tremendous support they have given me since I joined the club."
Factfile:
1978: Born November 8, Peckham. Cousin of England international Les Ferdinand.
1995: Turns professional with West Ham after coming through the youth ranks with the London club.
1996: May - Makes Hammers debut as a second-half substitute in 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday.
November - Loaned out to Bournemouth.
1997: February - Scores his first goal for the Hammers in a 2-1 defeat at Blackburn.
November - Becomes youngest defender to play for England when he makes his debut against Cameroon at Wembley.
1998: Named in Glenn Hoddle's England squad for the World Cup finals but does not play in France.
2000: Left out of the England squad for Euro 2000 by Kevin Keegan. Smashes British transfer record with £18million move to Leeds United in November.
2001: Scores his first Leeds goal in Champions League quarter-final against Deportivo La Coruna.
2002: Scores first England goal in 3-0 win over Denmark in in World Cup second round.
July 21 - Leeds agree £30million fee with Manchester United for Ferdinand, making him the world's most expensive defender.
2003: May - Picks up a Premier League winner's medal as United finish five points clear of Arsenal.
October 6 - Reported to the Football Association for failing to attend a drugs test.
October 7 - Left out of England squad for crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey because of drugs controversy.
October 29 - Charged with misconduct by the FA for "the failure or refusal by a player to submit to drug testing as required by a competent official".
December 18 - Independent three-man panel find the case against Ferdinand proven and impose an eight-month ban and £50,000 fine.
2004: January 20 - Ferdinand begins his ban.
September 20 - Returns in 2-1 Premier League win over Liverpool at Old Trafford.
2005: May 21 - Season ends in disappointment with FA Cup final penalty shootout defeat to Arsenal, leaving United without a trophy.
July 3 - United chief executive David Gill defends Ferdinand against allegations of disloyalty for his failure to sign new £100,000-a-week extension to his contract.
August 8 - After being booed by United supporters in pre-season games in Japan, Antwerp, Clyde and Peterborough, Ferdinand agrees new four-year deal.
December 14 - Scores his first United goal in 4-0 victory over Wigan.
2006: February 26 - Wins League Cup as United beat Wigan 4-0 at the Millennium stadium.
June - Represents England at World Cup in Germany.
2007: May 6 - United win Premier League title. But later in the month, they lose 1-0 to Chelsea in the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley.
November 21 - Absent through injury as England lose 3-2 to Croatia at Wembley and fail to qualify for Euro 2008.
2008: March 26 - Captains England for the first time and wins his 65th cap in 1-0 defeat in France.
April 18 - Agrees new five-year contract with Manchester United believed to be in the region of £130,000 a week.
May 15 - United confirm Ferdinand has signed his new deal, which will keep him at the club until 2013.