Rio Ferdinand, the former Manchester United and England captain, is to attempt to become a professional boxer.

The 38-year-old has confirmed he is taking up the sport in what had been billed as a “major news announcement”.

Ferdinand will try to follow in the footsteps of Conor McGregor, the Ultimate Fighting Championship star who last month lost to Floyd Mayweather on his boxing debut.

He will also seek to emulate Curtis Woodhouse, the former Sheffield United midfielder who went on to a successful boxing career, becoming British lightwelterweight champion.