Ferdinand Finally Signs

QPR have completed the signing of Rio Ferdinand on a free transfer. The 35-year-old has put pen to paper on a one-year contract following his release from Manchester United last season.

The protracted transfer story finally came to an end as Ferdinand rejected more lucrative offers to join Harry Redknapp`s Premier League side.

The ex-England International told qpr.co.uk: “I spoke to Harry and Mr Fernandes at length. I think they both looked me in the eye and knew that I still have something to offer – that I had a genuine desire to come here and play football.”

“I had a lot of offers from all over the world – some in places with a better climate than here. But the draw for me was to play in the Premier League and back here where it all started.”

Harry Redknapp, who signed Ferdinand as a youngster at West Ham United, expressed his delight at finally capturing his first signing of the summer: “I really couldn’t be more pleased.”

“Rio`s a fantastic player and a great professional – I’m delighted we’ve been able to bring him here.”

“I signed Rio as a 14 year-old. He was class on the field and off the field then, and he’s continued in that manner throughout his career.”

Rio Ferdinand`s professional career has spanned over 18 years, starting off as a youngster at West Ham before, via a short spell at Leeds, spending the majority of his career at Manchester United.

He has broken the British transfer fee record on two occasions and has racked up 81 appearances for his national side.

There has been some reservations from QPR fans at the signing of Ferdinand following the Premier League debacle of two years ago which involved the collection of overage misfits on astronomical wages, however QPR chairman Tony Fernandes has been quick to assuage any lingering doubts from the Rs faithful.

“There`s a balance,” Fernandes said. “We went for a lot of big players two years ago. There`s also a mistake of going for all the young players from day one. Some players have said they would love to have Rio next to them.”

In other news, QPR striker Bobby Zamora has signed a new one-year deal at the club. Zamora, who scored the R`s last-gasp winner against Derby County in late May to secure Rangers` place back in the Barclays Premier League, has penned a 12 month extension in W12, tying him to the club until the summer of 2015.