Rio Ferdinand became the world’s most expensive defender when he joined Leeds United from West Ham in 2000. Ferdinand was part of one of Leeds’ most memorable ever seasons as he played a regular role in the club reaching the Champions League semi-finals. At the time, Leeds were very much one of England’s powerhouses and so making the move from West Ham was a significant step up in quality. Ferdinand has actually revealed how he turned down a move to Chelsea in favour of joining Leeds, but ultimately, it was the regularity of these sort of transfers which led the club into financial obscurity. …
