Former England captain Rio Ferdinand has announced his retirement from professional football.

The former West Ham, Leeds and Manchester United central defender spent last season at QPR, who were relegated from the Premier League.

Ferdinand was absent for the closing stages of the campaign. His wife, Rebecca Ellison, died from cancer on 1 May.

He played 81 times for his country playing in three World Cups. His career will be remembered primarily for his time at Manchester United where he won six Premier League titles and one European Cup.

The 36-year-old told BT Sport "it was time to hang the boots up and get back in the house and watch other people play the game".

Fellow players have paid tribute to Ferdinand's career, which began at West Ham in 1995. Michael Owen, who played alongside Ferdinand at Manchester United, described him as an "absolute Rolls Royce".