RADAR: RAUNCHY RIO HAS IT AWAY

Sunday Mirror, Feb 15, 2004 by SUZANNE KERINS

SHAMED soccer star Rio Ferdinand kissed and canoodled with a brunette model at her 21st birthday party, I can reveal.

The randy pounds 30million Manchester United and England defender - banned from the game for eight months for missing a drugs test - cheekily pleaded with Louise Glover to leave her birthday bash early and join him at his plush hotel for a nightcap.

I'm told glamour girl Louise turned down his invitation, but hopes to meet him again soon.

Louise told a pal last night: "Rio is really sexy. He's a great kisser.

"I've told him I'd definitely like to meet up on a proper date.

"He did invite me to go back to his hotel suite but I could not leave my own birthday party."

Glad to hear it.

But I bet Rio's long-suffering girlfriend Rebecca Ellison - who shares his pounds 2 million mansion in Cheshire - will not be too thrilled to hear of his latest liaison...

Rio - still paid pounds 70,000 a week despite the ban wasted no time in pulling curvy Louise the minute he arrived at London's Embassy Club on Thursday night.

Lanky Rio, 24, who clearly has too much money for his own good, plonked himself next to Louise, swapped mobile numbers and did his best to impress by ordering bottles of Laurent Perrier champagne - which cost pounds 120 a pop.

He then engrossed her in "serious conversation" by telling her about his travels while leering at her cleavage and tanned legs.

Sadly Rio didn't score with his lady friend as much as he'd hoped too on this occasion.

Not that he didn't try.

After leaving the club around 3am he immediately called Louise and invited her back to his swish hotel again.

But she politely turned him down - as she was still partying in style.

This is not the first time Rio has made a play for pretty Louise.

The footy star pursued her at the Manchester United's Christmas party at the Living Room bar in December.

They chatted and swapped numbers and Rio told Louise he would like to take her out.

But plans of any liaisons went down the pan when he lost his phone.

Let's hope for Rio's sake he holds on safely to his phone for their next date.