Former England captain Rio Ferdinand has retired from football, days after being released by Queens Park Rangers.
The 36-year-old said it was "the right time" to retire from "the game I love",
London-born Ferdinand, who had 12 years at Manchester United after spells with West Ham and Leeds, last played for QPR in March.
In the statement, he paid tribute to his wife Rebecca Ellison,who dies from breast cancer on May 1
Announcing his retirement, Ferdinand said: "After 18 years as a professional footballer, I now feel it's the right time for me to retire from the game that I love.
