Rio Ferdinand left the UK for Dubai in 2025 after working for a decade as a pundit on UK TV following his professional playing career
Rio Ferdinand departed the UK to move to Dubai with his family after stepping down from his role as a TNT Sports pundit. Fans will be keeping an eye on the Manchester United icon’s whereabouts following the UK government’s warning to Brits in the United Arab Emirates.
A wave of missile attacks has thrown the city into turmoil with UK citizens told to remain safe indoors. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development website said: “Due to reported missile attacks, British nationals in UAE should immediately shelter in place.
“Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities. There is a heightened risk of regional tension. Escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts. British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances.”
It is unconfirmed whether Ferdinand and his family are currently in Dubai at present. However, they moved to the region after the ex-United defender announced he would step down from TNT Sports.
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In a statement, the 47-year-old said: “I want to acknowledge the tremendous support from the team behind the scenes whose hard work often goes unseen but has been essential to our success.
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“To everyone at TNT Sports, we have a brilliant end to the season to look forward to on Saturday and for now all focus will be on what I think could go down as one of the great European finals. The network continues to thrive with more rights than ever. I know I look forward to following its progress and the exciting future that lies ahead.
“Lastly I would like to thank my family and my management company New Era for their ongoing support. They have supported me to travel all over Europe following the best players and watching the best matches.”
It was reported last year that the Ferdinand family had been scoping out homes and schools in Dubai and decided to make the move. Ferdinand shares two children with wife Kate, who is also a stepmother to his three kids from his previous marriage to Rebecca Ellison – who passed away from cancer in 2015.
However, Ferdinand’s older kids elected to remain in the UK amid their 2025 move. Ferdinand stated there wasn’t a stand-out reason for the Dubai move. He told The National: “There’s not one reason.
“I went for the Global Soccer Awards at Christmas and I hadn’t been there properly for about seven or eight years. We spent time with some of Kate’s friends who live there and I just saw a different side to it. I also have a business out there, Football Escapes.”
Touching on the family-led environment he was touched by, Ferdinand added: “In Dubai, it feels like they’re valued and the lifestyle means that they’re happy and vibrant with a good energy for the kids. Lifestyle, safety, weather — it’s just a new life.
“When I made the decision, I thought, ‘This must be 30 years when my life has been driven by the fixture list. Not now.’ I’m not leaving football, but it’s just not the governing body of my life now. I’ve got to be honest, it feels nice.”
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Wife Kate was also upbeat about the move, adding that she was nervous for the huge life decision. The former The Only Way is Essex star said: “A new chapter, a fresh start – because if we don’t try, we’ll never know.
“Ahhh! We’ve talked about this for so long, and now it’s finally real… we’re here we are making a new home in the place we met! Missing some of our specials already and a bit scared, excited and nervous – but more than anything, ready for fresh starts and new beginnings.”
However, Kate has admitted to feeling homesick during an episode of her Blended podcast. She said: “Rio loves it so much. I am enjoying it, but I miss home quite a lot. I get upset. I miss the big boys a lot and I’m just struggling with that.”
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