Rio Ferdinand has signed a new five year deal at Manchester United and will earn £120,000 according to his agent Pini Zahavi.

Zahavi said that Ferdinand was delighted about signing the new deal at Old Trafford. Rio wanted to stay and United wanted him to stay, it worked out well for both parties involved.

Zahavi, who helped secure Ferdinand’s five year deal thinks that the defender will extend his contract further after the five years.

Zahavi thinks that his client can continue playing into his late 30’s, and even into his 40’s. He believes that Ferdinand has what it takes mentally and physically to replicate what Italian defender Paolo Maldini has done and play professional football even at the age of 39.

Ferdinand wasn’t expected to sign a new deal until the end of the season. He had two years left on his existing deal but the contract talks were moved forward and now it is expected that Ferdinand only needs to put pen to paper and sign the deal.

Manchester United signed Ferdinand from Leeds for £30 million in 2002, a British record transfer signing. Ferdinand has played a key role in the Manchester United defence since making the move and this season he has formed a strong partnership with Nemanja Vidic.