Nairobi News

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand will tour Kenya in the coming months in a trip whose highlight will enable him to mentor young talents in the country.

In what should certainly excite local fans of the English Premier League, Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) Marketing Manager – Guinness Nduku Wamakau explained the former England international will also conduct clinics aimed at imparting coaching tips to youngsters at the grassroots.

Ferdinand, who also played for West Ham United, Bournemouth, Leeds United and Queens Park Rangers in the English Premier League, is primed to interact with scores of football fans at selected entertainment joints in Nairobi.

Ferdinand, who currently works as a TV football pundit, has signed a year-long partnership dubbed ‘Guinness Meets Rio’.

MOST EXPENSIVE DEFENDER

“Our Kenyan fans will get an incredible football experience in Rio’s visit in the country. His visit will be crucial in finding and celebrating those Kenyan fans who prove themselves Made of More. These are the fans who live and breathe football, whose support knowledge and bold acts of dedication demonstrate their unique passion for the beautiful game,” said Wamakau.

Now 39, Ferdinand was once the world’s the most expensive defender when the Red Devils purchased him from Leeds United for an estimated Sh3 billion way back in 2002.

He went on to establish himself as one of the best players in the position during his time, with his partnership with Serbian Nemanja Vidic, in particular, resulting in the club winning several titles including the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

Ferdinand, whose younger sibling Anton was also a professional footballer, won 81 caps for England in a chequered career whose only blip perhaps was to serve a year-long suspension for missing a drug test.

He is set to become the third football celebrity star to visit Kenya courtesy of Guinness in recent times, following in the footsteps of Frenchman Thierry Henry and Italian Roberto Di Matteo.