Rio Ferdinand has agreed a deal on less than a third of his United wages to sign for QPR and be reunited with Harry Redknapp

Redknapp handed Ferdinand his professional debut at West Ham in 1996

Ferdinand will take a massive pay cut to sign for the newly-promoted side

Deal is expected to be confirmed in the next 24 hours



RIO IN RIO

Click here to read Rio Ferdinand's latest blog from Brazil

Rio Ferdinand has agreed a deal to sign for newly promoted Queens Park Rangers.



The 35-year-old has been persuaded to take a massive drop in wages after hearing Harry Redknapp’s plans for how he can help the London club on their return to the Premier League.

It is believed his salary is less than a third of his £200,000-a-week salary at Manchester United. Ferdinand has also turned down a lucrative media career, with both BT and the BBC keen to land him. 'He just wants to play,' said a friend.



Ferdinand is expected to return to London from the |World Cup in Brazil to complete the transfer soon.



The deal is expected to be confirmed by the club in the next 24 hours and comes as a huge boost for QPR after winning promotion through the play-offs.

VIDEO: Scroll down to see Rio Ferdinand swap football for martial arts in a UFC bout



New challenge: Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has agreed to sign for QPR

Reunited: Ferdinand was given his professional debut by Harry Redknapp at West Ham in 1996

Making a name for himself: Ferdinand in action for West Ham with fellow BBC pundit Alan Shearer Ferdinand, currently working for the BBC in Brazil, is a free agent after being released by Manchester United following 12 years at Old Trafford.



He recently confirmed he had offers from clubs both in England and abroad, but it is the chance to be reunited with Redknapp that has come out on top.



The 67-year-old was the manager who gave him his debut at West Ham in 1996, helping him develop into the world’s most expensive defender when he left to join Leeds in an £18million transfer five years later.



Expert analysis: Ferdinand has been working as a BBC pundit in Brazil during the World Cup

Where it all started: Ferdinand (centre) during pre-season training with West Ham



Ferdinand, who has been writing a weekly column for the Mail on Sunday and MailOnline, won six Premier League titles and the Champions League at Old Trafford.

He has proven his determination to be fit for the new season by taking his his own personal trainer with him to Brazil.



He has been convinced he can enjoy a new challenge after speaking to Dutch legend Ruud Gullit.



He revealed: ‘He told me the couple of years he had at Chelsea were some of the most enjoyable of his career because there wasn’t at that time the pressure of trying to win trophies.’

Rising star: A youthful Ferdinand tussles with Arsenal's Emmanuel Petit in his early years

Fresh start: Ferdinand has been weighing up his options after leaving Manchester United



