The 27-year-old Manchester United defender has endured a controversial career since breaking in to the West Ham United first team ten years ago. He has twice been the subject of massive transfer fees - £18million when he moved from Upton Park to Leeds United in November 2000 and £30million less than two years later when he was snapped up by Manchester United. Ferdinand's eight-month suspension for missing a drugs test ruled him out of Euro 2004 and a poor start to this season saw him dropped to the substitute's bench for the qualifier against Austria. Better form in the second half of the season means he is likely to partner John Terry at the heart of England's defence in Germany.