Rio Ferdinand, a former player for Manchester United, has joined Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger as the newest Premier League Hall of Fame members.
Fans selected Ferdinand through a public vote and the Premier League Awards Panel from a shortlist of 15 players. The shortlist of other potential inductees includes Tony Adams, Ashley Cole, Gary Neville, Sol Campbell, Jermain Defoe, Michael Owen, Michael Carrick, Les Ferdinand, John Terry, Petr Cech, Yaya Toure, Andy Cole, Robbie Fowler, and Nemanja Vidic.
The Hall of Fame has inducted the legendary centre-back as the eighth Manchester United great. During his storied career, Rio won the Premier League on six occasions, including one UEFA Champions League and two League Cups. On an individual level, the defender was also a part of the PFA Premier League Team of the Year six times.
He said:
“As a defender, I’m not used to celebrating personal glory – we leave that to the midfielders and strikers! When you start your career, you never dream of how well things could turn out.
“I remember all those long journeys on trains and tubes; all the training, cleaning players’ boots, and taking care of the kit. I remember going back to my estate and seeing my friends who were all desperate to know what it was like.
“It’s a great feeling to be recognized by my peers as well as the fans. To be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame alongside such a high caliber of players and to be able to say that I achieved my dream is special. The Premier League is the holy grail, and I just can’t believe I made it.”
source: Dailymail
