Rio Ferdinand's son signs first professional contract with Premier League club after loan stint in non-league
Rio, 46, is one of the greatest defenders of all time having won a raft of honours throughout his glittering 20-year career, such as six Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League.
2
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand's son has signed his first ever professional contract
2
Ferdinand's son plays as a goalkeeper for Brighton
And the England legend's son Lorenz, 18, is following in his footsteps at football's elite level.
The goalkeeper penned a pro deal with Brighton to kick-start his own career, beginning with the club's Under-21s.
Rio's eldest son joined the Seagulls' Under-13s at a young age and has risen through the ranks, making his Premier League 2 debut in January.
About three months later, Lorenz moved to non-league side Havant & Waterlooville on loan and gained first-team football experience.
The keeper kept two clean sheets in six appearances in the Southern League last season.
Brighton academy manager Ian Buckman welcomed Lorenz, who was among 13 youngster who signed professional deals.
Buckman said: "We're pleased to see this cohort of players sign their first professional contracts here, with a number of them at the club from a very young age.
"All of them have already had some form of experience with the under-21s, while a few have been involved with the first team.
"We look forward to them continuing their careers with us and helping them develop over the coming years."
Rio has three children from his first marriage to Lorenz's late mother Rebecca Ellison, who sadly passed away from cancer in 2015.
England football legend Rio Ferdinand and wife Kate plot move to relocate to Dubai as they eye properties and school for kids
The Man Utd great also has two kids with his second wife Kate.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
17 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Reece James delighted as Chelsea make ‘big statement' with Club World Cup win
Cole Palmer scored two brilliant goals and created a third for Joao Pedro – all in the first half – as the Blues shocked the Champions League winners, who were seeking a fifth trophy of the season, to win 3-0. After a turbulent few years at Stamford Bridge following the takeover of 2022, it provided further evidence of a Blues revival after the Conference League triumph in May. 'I think for sure we are moving in the right direction, winning this trophy against such good opposition,' said Chelsea captain James. 'So it's a big statement. 'I'm happy with how much the club has progressed and how next season you know we'll be competing in the Premier League, to win the title and compete and to go far in the Champions League as well. 'I think this showed how far our club has come. We've had a difficult few years, not competing in the Champions League. 'This was the best team we faced and we knew it was going to be tough but the team was ready, and I think we showed that.' Chelsea had been written off in many quarters before the game with PSG, who famously thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final in May, having routed Real Madrid 4-0 just four days previously. US President Donald Trump joined in the Chelsea celebrations (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Yet their victory was thoroughly deserved and Palmer had already gone close to scoring before taking charge of the game with his quickfire double of goals scored in the 22nd and 30th minutes. He then set up Pedro, the £60million signing who only joined the club mid-tournament, for his third goal in the last two games before half-time. There was no way back for the Ligue 1 champions, whose frustration was compounded late on as Joao Neves was sent off for a petulant tug on Marc Cucurella's hair. Tempers boiled over as scuffles broke out after the final whistle and one involving PSG coach Luis Enrique ended with Pedro on the ground. There was a further surreal postscript as United States President Donald Trump, there to present the winners with the trophy, decided to stay on stage to join Chelsea's celebrations. Yet while that made for a peculiar ending to the tournament, James' main thoughts were on his achievement and what could come next. 'It's amazing for me,' said the 25-year-old, who has overcome a series of injury setbacks. 'Since I was a little boy I supported this team. 'I just wanted to play for this club. Just once would have been enough for me, so to captain the team and to lead them to two trophies this season, it's been a dream for me. 'We beat the champions of Europe. For sure it gives us confidence and I am looking forward to the future.'
Leader Live
17 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Reece James delighted as Chelsea make ‘big statement' with Club World Cup win
Cole Palmer scored two brilliant goals and created a third for Joao Pedro – all in the first half – as the Blues shocked the Champions League winners, who were seeking a fifth trophy of the season, to win 3-0. After a turbulent few years at Stamford Bridge following the takeover of 2022, it provided further evidence of a Blues revival after the Conference League triumph in May. 'I think for sure we are moving in the right direction, winning this trophy against such good opposition,' said Chelsea captain James. 'So it's a big statement. 'I'm happy with how much the club has progressed and how next season you know we'll be competing in the Premier League, to win the title and compete and to go far in the Champions League as well. 'I think this showed how far our club has come. We've had a difficult few years, not competing in the Champions League. 'This was the best team we faced and we knew it was going to be tough but the team was ready, and I think we showed that.' Chelsea had been written off in many quarters before the game with PSG, who famously thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final in May, having routed Real Madrid 4-0 just four days previously. Yet their victory was thoroughly deserved and Palmer had already gone close to scoring before taking charge of the game with his quickfire double of goals scored in the 22nd and 30th minutes. He then set up Pedro, the £60million signing who only joined the club mid-tournament, for his third goal in the last two games before half-time. There was no way back for the Ligue 1 champions, whose frustration was compounded late on as Joao Neves was sent off for a petulant tug on Marc Cucurella's hair. Tempers boiled over as scuffles broke out after the final whistle and one involving PSG coach Luis Enrique ended with Pedro on the ground. There was a further surreal postscript as United States President Donald Trump, there to present the winners with the trophy, decided to stay on stage to join Chelsea's celebrations. Yet while that made for a peculiar ending to the tournament, James' main thoughts were on his achievement and what could come next. 'It's amazing for me,' said the 25-year-old, who has overcome a series of injury setbacks. 'Since I was a little boy I supported this team. 'I just wanted to play for this club. Just once would have been enough for me, so to captain the team and to lead them to two trophies this season, it's been a dream for me. 'We beat the champions of Europe. For sure it gives us confidence and I am looking forward to the future.'
Rhyl Journal
17 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Reece James delighted as Chelsea make ‘big statement' with Club World Cup win
Cole Palmer scored two brilliant goals and created a third for Joao Pedro – all in the first half – as the Blues shocked the Champions League winners, who were seeking a fifth trophy of the season, to win 3-0. After a turbulent few years at Stamford Bridge following the takeover of 2022, it provided further evidence of a Blues revival after the Conference League triumph in May. 'I think for sure we are moving in the right direction, winning this trophy against such good opposition,' said Chelsea captain James. 'So it's a big statement. 'I'm happy with how much the club has progressed and how next season you know we'll be competing in the Premier League, to win the title and compete and to go far in the Champions League as well. 'I think this showed how far our club has come. We've had a difficult few years, not competing in the Champions League. 'This was the best team we faced and we knew it was going to be tough but the team was ready, and I think we showed that.' Chelsea had been written off in many quarters before the game with PSG, who famously thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final in May, having routed Real Madrid 4-0 just four days previously. Yet their victory was thoroughly deserved and Palmer had already gone close to scoring before taking charge of the game with his quickfire double of goals scored in the 22nd and 30th minutes. He then set up Pedro, the £60million signing who only joined the club mid-tournament, for his third goal in the last two games before half-time. There was no way back for the Ligue 1 champions, whose frustration was compounded late on as Joao Neves was sent off for a petulant tug on Marc Cucurella's hair. Tempers boiled over as scuffles broke out after the final whistle and one involving PSG coach Luis Enrique ended with Pedro on the ground. There was a further surreal postscript as United States President Donald Trump, there to present the winners with the trophy, decided to stay on stage to join Chelsea's celebrations. Yet while that made for a peculiar ending to the tournament, James' main thoughts were on his achievement and what could come next. 'It's amazing for me,' said the 25-year-old, who has overcome a series of injury setbacks. 'Since I was a little boy I supported this team. 'I just wanted to play for this club. Just once would have been enough for me, so to captain the team and to lead them to two trophies this season, it's been a dream for me. 'We beat the champions of Europe. For sure it gives us confidence and I am looking forward to the future.'
