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Rio Ferdinand Admits Leeds United Spell Was Most "Enjoyable" Time Of His Career

Rio Ferdinand Admits Leeds United Spell Was Most "Enjoyable" Time Of His Career

The defender spent two years at Elland Road between 2000 and 2002 before joining Manchester United in a big-money move.

Tom Fenton

Tom Fenton

Rio Ferdinand played over 300 times for Manchester United, winning numerous Premier League titles, as well as a Champions League medal with the club.

However, in spite of that later success, the defender-turned-pundit previously claimed that the most enjoyable time of his career was spent at Elland Road, with Leeds United.

Ferdinand joined Leeds from West Ham United in 2000, becoming the world's most expensive defender at the time.

He would spend the following two seasons with the club and was an integral member of the 00/01 side that reached the Champions League Semi-final.

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PA

Speaking to BT Sport back in 2020, after Leeds' first few outings back in the top flight, Ferdinand was glowing about his time spent in Yorkshire.

"As much as there was a lot of talk about me going to Man United and it was emotional, for a lot of the fans it was difficult to accept," Ferdinand stated, regarding his exit from the club.

"But I think in the long term it was proven that the reasons why I went were justified, but I probably had my most enjoyable football when I played here [at Leeds]."

The 42-year-old left for Manchester United in the summer of 2002, infuriating many Leeds fans at the time, given the historic rivalry between the two sets of supporters.

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PA

And yet, for all the success that would follow at Old Trafford, Ferdinand explains that also came at a price.

"I loved it at West Ham but we didn't win that much, I loved it at Man United, we won a lot but with that came a lot of pressure," the ex-England international added.

"So the enjoyment factor isn't as free-spirited as it was when I was here at Leeds where we won a fair amount in terms of games, got to some good heights, Champions League semi-final etcetera, and there wasn't that added pressure or expectations with it.

"We were a young squad, all good lads, all socialised together as well and I just had some fantastic times here, really enjoyed my football here, enjoyed my time, the people were great.

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PA

"Where I lived was fantastic so I've never had anything bad to say about Leeds. It's always been somewhere that I've always appreciated at it was part of my journey."

Leeds finally succumbed to relegation two years after Ferdinand left for Manchester United, with the club embroiled in financial strife.

After 16 years in the Football League, they returned to the big time under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020 - much to the delight of Ferdinand.

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Topics: Manchester United, West Ham United, Rio Ferdinand, BT Sport