Rio Ferdinand Leeds United

THIS PICTURE CAN ONLY BE USED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF AN EDITORIAL FEATURE. NO WEBSITE/INTERNET USE UNLESS SITE IS REGISTERED WITH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PREMIER LEAGUE. Leeds United’s 18 million signing Rio Ferdinand (left) is introduced to the supporters at Elland Road, Leeds by Chairman Peter Ridsdale. Ferdinand put pen to paper on his 18million transfer from West Ham United and admitted: “This is a big step forward for me”. 16/08/02 : Rio Ferdinand (left) with Leeds United’s Chairman Peter Ridsdale. Ridsdale insists that Ferdinand arrived at Elland Road as cover for Jonathan Woodgate. Manchester United broke the British transfer record with a 30million summer swoop for Ferdinand, who cost Leeds 18million from West Ham in November 2000. However, Ridsdale is relaxed about Leeds’ strength at the back, and told the Daily Mirror: We only actually bought Rio in the first place because Jonathan Woodgate’s position was uncertain due to his involvement in what turned out to be two trials.