Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has signed a new four-year contract with The Red Devils, which will keep the England international at Old Trafford until 2013.

29-year-old Ferdinand joined Sir Alex Ferguson's team from Leeds United in 2002, and since then he has cemented his place not only in the United team, which he has captained on many occasions, but also in the England team.

This new contract deal effectively keeps the former West Ham United star at Manchester United for the remainder of his career.

United boss Ferguson is ecstatic to have secured his services for the next four years, saying: "Rio's contribution this season has been a major factor in our outstanding defensive performance and I'm delighted he has signed a new contract."