Captain' Ferdinand wins new deal at United

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has signed a new contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2013, the English champions announced Thursday.

The new deal means Ferdinand is likely to spend the remainder of his career with the club he joined in 2002 from West Ham.

"Rio's contribution this season has been a major factor in our outstanding defensive performance and I am delighted he has signed a new contract," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson also fuelled a growing belief that the 29-year-old has been earmarked as the club's next captain.

Ferdinand has taken the skipper's armband on a regular basis with Ryan Giggs used so sparingly towards the back end of the campaign and is likely to lead United into their...