Former Manchester United and England hero Rio Ferdinand’s wife Rebecca has died, he revealed in a short statement on QPR’s official website.
SEE MORE
Manchester United transfer news
Manchester United v West Brom live stream
Chelsea legend John Terry receives surprise praise from old foe Rio Ferdinand
This comes after a short battle with cancer, and the 36-year-old is obviously devastated by the news. The pair have been married since June 2009 and dated for a long period before hand, with their first child born in 2006. They have three children, two boys and a girl, named Lorenz, Tate, and Tia.
He released the following statement revealing the sad news: “My soul mate slipped away last night. Rebecca, my wonderful wife, passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. She was a fantastic loving mother to our three beautiful children. She will be missed as a wife, sister, aunt, daughter and granddaughter. She will live on in our memory, as a guide and inspiration.
“Myself, my parents Janice and Julian, along with Rebecca’s parents Lesley and Stephen, would like to thank our families, friends and my club colleagues who have rallied around in these desperate days, weeks and months. I would also like to express my gratitude for the dedication and expertise of the staff led by Professors Johnstone and Clarke at the Royal Marsden. Their valiant efforts to prolong Rebecca’s all-too-short life will not be forgotten.”
He concluded: “Our grief, as a family, is total. We would appreciate being allowed to mourn privately.”
Current club QPR have also let it be known that they stand by the defender during this difficult time: “The thoughts of everyone at Queens Park Rangers Football Club are with Rio and his family at this immensely difficult time.”
Ferdinand has spent most of his career at Old Trafford, but also played for West Ham, Leeds United, and now the Rs. With it becoming likely that the centre-back was going to retire from football it is unknown whether this tragic news may have an effect on any decision he makes.