Rio Ferdinand retirement: QPR defender announces he will end career next summer

The former Manchester United defender signed for QPR over the summer

Rio Ferdinand has said he wants to one day be England manager (Getty Images)

Former England captain and QPR defender Rio Ferdinand plans to retire from football at the end of the season.

The 35-year-old told Jonathan Ross in an interview to be broadcast on Saturday evening that this season with Rangers will likely be his last.

"I probably think the end of this season," Ferdinand told The Jonathan Ross Show when asked about retirement.

"I'm not fearful of retirement, I'm looking forward to it, I can see some good stuff hopefully happening ahead.

"You get to a time where you start understanding your body and the strains playing football (is) putting your body through, going out and training every day."

The former West Ham, Leeds and Manchester United centre back, who has worked as a football pundit, expects to stay involved in football in some capacity and has begun his coaching badges.

"I've done it for so many years, it's what I love," he added.

Ferdinand was an unused substitute in last weekend's loss to Liverpool and could be confined to the bench again for Monday's match at home to Aston Villa.

Adel Taarabt could be offered the opportunity to prove himself to Harry Redknapp after the pair's public disagreement this week when the QPR boss accused the Morocco playmaker of being overweight.

Defender Nedum Onuoha hopes to shake off a hamstring problem sustained against Liverpool, midfielders Joey Barton and Jordon Mutch could be fit again after recent hamstring trouble, but Alejandro Faurlin (knee) is a long-term injury absentee.

:: Rio Ferdinand was speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show, which is broadcast on Saturday, October 25 at 2210 on ITV1. He appeared on the show alongside Lindsay Lohan, Russell Brand and Daniel Radcliffe.