Rio Ferdinand is ready to follow Anthony Joshua into professional boxing (Picture: Instagram)

Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand is set to announce his arrival as a professional boxer.

Ferdinand, 38, retired from all football back in 2015, after an underwhelming spell with Queens Park Rangers, but will make his return to the sporting arena after various hints on social media.

The Champions League winning centre-back has kept himself in good shape since his retirement and was seen doing pad work with British boxing heroes Anthony Joshua, David Haye and Tony Bellew back in January.

According to The Telegraph, BT Sport pundit Ferdinand will make an official announcement on Tuesday afternoon as he prepares to make waves in the boxing ring.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTgI5EiFiWD/?hl=en&taken-by=rioferdy5

Ferdinand, who also played for the likes of West Ham United and Leeds United over the course of an esteemed footballing career, will first need to attain a boxing license to fight professionally.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRBS3HKlsjG/?hl=en&taken-by=rioferdy5

‘Without the gym I don’t know where I would’ve had that release time,’ Ferdinand told Men’s Health in July following the death of his wife Rebecca Ellison.

‘That time just to think about nothing, or to think about something other than what was going on in my life.’

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