Manchester United icon Gary Neville & more tweet their respect for Rio Ferdinand now he’s retiring

One of the best defenders of the Premier League era says goodbye.

Former Manchester United, QPR, Leeds and West Ham defender Rio Ferdinand has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36. In a statement read out on BT Sport, the defender said that it was "the right time" to retire from "the game I love". During his glittering career, Ferdinand won 6 Premier Leagues, the Champions League, an FA Cup, 3 League Cups, the Super Cup and was named in the PFA team of the year on six different occasions. Some famous faces took to Twitter to mark his wonderful career.

Paul Scholes pays tribute to @rioferdy5, calling him 'the best centre-half I ever played with'. http://t.co/1vqhD60ghv

— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) May 30, 2015

Congratulations to @rioferdy5 on his great career. Best I played with and best pairings I've seen with Vida/JT. Covered me very well too! — Gary Neville (@GNev2) May 30, 2015

Rio Ferdinand's Premier League career by numbers: 6 titles 504 games 11 goals 495 conceded 4 clubs 57.7% win rate pic.twitter.com/EvJO09i8ly

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 30, 2015

Rio Ferdinand retires. Another of English football's modern greats. As well as a great club career, he even excelled in a World Cup (2002) — Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) May 30, 2015

BREAKING NEWS: @rioferdy5 has retired from football. Would make my all-time Premier League team. Great player, great guy.

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 30, 2015

Rio Ferdinand confirms his retirement live on BT Sport. What a player he was, absolute Rolls Royce. http://t.co/v4l9H6HbMd — michael owen (@themichaelowen) May 30, 2015