The wife of former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand has died. Rebecca Ellison passed away on Friday night the Reds legend revealed in a statement issued this morning by current club QPR.
Mr Ferdinand and Rebecca have three children; Lorenz, who was born in Manchester in 2006, Tate who was born in 2008 and a daughter named Tia, born in 2011.
QPR
added: “The thoughts of everyone at Queens Park Rangers Football Club
are with Rio and his family at this immensely difficult time."
The
couple were married in the summer of 2009 after Ferdinand had helped
Manchester United win a third successive Premier League title and the
club, where he won six league titles and the Champions League, were
among those to pay their respects.
Rio said: "She was a fantastic loving mother to our three beautiful
children. She will be missed as a wife, sister, aunt, daughter and
granddaughter. She will live on in our memory, as a guide and
inspiration. "Myself, my parents Janice and Julian, along with Rebecca's parents
Lesley and Stephen, would like to thank our families, friends and my
club colleagues who have rallied around in these desperate days, weeks
and months."
Players past and present were also among those to pass on their condolences to the 36-year-old defender.
"Thoughts
are with Rio Ferdinand and his family. How dreadfully sad," Gary
Lineker tweeted, while Ferdinand's former England team-mate
Peter Crouch
wrote: "Thoughts with @rioferdy5 and his family."
Former Aston
Villa and international striker Dion Dublin added: "My thoughts are with
@rioferdy5 his children and his family....... RIP Becky."
Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam wrote: "Thoughts with @rioferdy5 and his family on such terrible news."
QPR captain Joey Barton tweeted: "Just heard the terrible news. My heart goes out to @rioferdy5 and his family. RIP Rebecca."
Hoops goalkeeper Alex McCarthy wrote: "Devastating news about Rebecca Ferdinand... My thoughts go out to him and his family."
United
players also took to Twitter to express their sympathy, with
Ferdinand's former defensive partner Chris Smalling writing: "Incredibly
sad news. My thoughts and prayers are with @rioferdy5 and his young
family."
Adnan Januzaj wrote: "Very sad news to hear about
@rioferdy5's wife Rebecca. My thoughts go out to his family at this
tough time. Stay strong."
Goalkeeper David de Gea added:
"Devastated after the heartbreaking news. My thoughts goes out to
@rioferdy5, family and friends!"
Liverpool offered their
condolences ahead of Saturday's Premier League match between the Reds
and QPR, Steven Gerrard handing a bouquet of flowers to Ferdinand's
team-mate Joey Barton before kick-off.
His teammates wore black arm bands in honor of his wife, while Leroy Fer
unveiled a T-shirt saying "Stay strong family Ferdinand" after scoring
an equalizing goal.
"He's had the weight of the world on his shoulders but you wouldn't know that. He's a fantastic professional and conducts himself in a terrific manner. He's trained hard; he's not moped around the place.
"Now all our thoughts are with him and his family. We all hope they can find the strength to pull through in this tragic time."
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