Rio Ferdinand celebrates his 38th birthday today, and we at Shoot! would like to wish the former Manchester United and England defender a very happy birthday!

The centre-back has been widely regarded as one of the best defenders the Premier League has ever seen, having started his top-flight career all the way back in 1996 at West Ham.

He came up through the ranks at Upton Park and made a name for himself in East London, which earned him an £18 million to Leeds United, which at the time made him the most expensive defender in the world.

However, it was a move to Manchester United win 2002 here Ferdinand took it up another level.

Again, a world-record fee was needed to bring the defender to Old Trafford, this time £30 million, but it was a worthwhile investment as he went to make 455 appearances for the Red Devils, winning six Premier League titles during his time in Manchester.

He also captained the side to victory over Chelsea in the 2008 Champions League final, and appeared 81 times for England over a 14-year stint.

To mark Ferdinand’s birthday today, we at Shoot! have decided to take a look back at his wonderful career, and have selected TEN images to bring together a two decade playing career…

West Ham breakthrough

The defender came up through the ranks at West Ham, and made his debut for the club in May 1996 against Sheffield Wednesday.

He spent a bit of time on loan at Bournemouth in the first half of the 1996/97 season, but really made his breakthrough at Upton Park in the following campaign.

He made 46 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers that season, one of which in the above image against Liverpool, and was named their Player of the Year for that campaign at the tender age of 19.

Record move to Leeds

After a few more seasons at Upton Park, Ferdinand made an £18 million move to Leeds United, which was at the time a British transfer record.

In turn, he became the world’s most expensive defender.

At the age of 22, he went on to become an important part of the Leeds team, and is seen here in action in their 2-0 defeat away at Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup in January 2001.

Later on that season, he helped David O’Leary’s side reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, although they lost 3-0 on aggregate to Valencia in the last four.

Representing England at the 2002 World Cup

Ferdinand was selected for the 1998 World Cup in France, but didn’t take to the field for the Three Lions in their disappointing run to the last 16.

However, he was an integral part of Sven Goran-Eriksson’s team in the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, and can be seen here scoring the opening goal in England’s 3-0 win over Denmark in the round of 16.

The centre-back then started in their 2-1 defeat against eventual champions Brazil in the quarter-finals.

Move to Old Trafford

After a solid showing for England at the 2002 World Cup, Ferdinand earned himself a big-money move to Manchester United.

The Red Devils paid £30 million for the central defender, becoming the most expensive British footballer and the world’s most expensive defender once again.

Here he is in one of his first games for the club, when Sir Alex Ferguson’s side visited Bournemouth for a pre-season friendly.

First Premier League title in 2003

The England defender immediately became a regular feature at the heart of the Manchester United back four, and went on to appear 46 times in all competitions in his first season at Old Trafford.

During that time, he helped the Red Devils win their eighth Premier League title in 11 years, and can be seen here in action in their penultimate game of the season, a 4-1 victory over Charlton Athletic.

First United goal in 2005

Although United are not celebrating his goal in the above image, Ferdinand netted his first Manchester United goal in their 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic in December 2005.

The defender missed a large chunk of the 2003/04 season due to missing a drugs test in September 2003, which also meant that he missed Euro 2004 with England.

However, he picked up where he left off at the start of the 2004/05 season, and was named in the PFA Team of the Year for that campaign.

Nevertheless, he had to wait until the season after to finally net for United, and did so in the above game against Wigan.

World Cup 2006

Ferdinand was an important member of the England team that reached the quarter-finals of the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

The Manchester United defender started all three of the Three Lions’ group games in the tournament, and helped Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side to two clean sheets and top spot in the group.

Here, Ferdinand can be seen celebrating David Beckham’s goal in the 1-0 win over Ecuador in the round of 16, although England’s campaign came to an end in the following round at the hands of Portugal.

Premier League and Champions League double 2008

Manchester United restored their place at the top of the English game with a Premier League/Champions League double in 2008.

Ferdinand also helped the side to the league title in 2006/07, but victory over Chelsea in the Champions League final of 2008, in which Ferdinand captained the side, secured the defender his one and only European Cup winners medal.

A few injuries thwarted his next couple of seasons at Old Trafford, but he still played an important part in their 2010/11 title triumph, his penultimate at United.

Last Premier League title in 2013

Ferdinand scored the final goal of the Sir Alex Ferguson era at Old Trafford in a 2-1 win over Swansea in May 2013.

The Red Devils had already sealed the Premier League title with victory over Aston Villa a few weeks prior to the Swansea match, but can be seen here lifting the trophy following their win over the Swans.

It was Ferdinand’s last piece of silverware at Old Trafford, but he did stay on for a further year after Ferguson’s retirement, and appeared 23 times for David Moyes in his ill-fated spell in charge during 2013/14.

Overall, Ferdinand played 455 times for United over a 12-year spell, and won six Premier League titles, three League Cups, and a Champions League title in his time at Old Trafford.

QPR move

Ferdinand left Manchester United in the summer of 2014, but refused to retire at that point.

Instead, he moved to West London side Queens Park Rangers in a bid to help them stay in the Premier League.

However, the defender struggled to make the necessary impact at Loftus Road, and made just 12 appearances for the club as they were relegated to the Championship.

He was released at the end of the season, and retired from professional football altogether a few days later.