Rio Ferdinand lists £10.5 million home as he settles in Dubai
Rio Ferdinand has listed his Kent mansion for sale at £10.5 million, strongly suggesting the former Manchester United defender has permanently left Britain behind, reports BritPanorama.
The 47-year-old relocated to Dubai with his family last August, and the decision to sell his Orpington property adds weight to speculation that the move is not temporary. Ferdinand originally purchased the home for approximately £2.7 million back in 2008, during his trophy-winning years at Old Trafford. Should he secure the full asking price, the ex-England international stands to pocket nearly £8 million in profit.
However, HMRC could potentially levy capital gains tax on the sale if Ferdinand is classified as a non-UK resident. The property sits within Farnborough Park, an exclusive gated estate located inside the M25, spanning an impressive 12,500 square feet and surrounded by 20 acres of landscaped grounds.
The seven-bedroom home features a master suite complete with dual dressing rooms and a mezzanine lounge area. Among the interior highlights are a state-of-the-art gymnasium, grand reception hall, and multiple entertainment spaces. The Rightmove listing describes it as “an exceptional standard of living, meticulously crafted to the vendors’ exacting specifications.”
The property represents one of the most prestigious addresses in the Kent commuter belt. Ferdinand was vocal in his criticism of the government when announcing his departure from Britain, acknowledging that rising taxes influenced his decision to relocate. He stated: “If things like the health service, for example, was absolutely flying and working perfectly well then I think people wouldn’t mind paying tax. But when there’s things that are falling apart and going wrong in the country, then I sit there and go, we pay towards tax and is it really going towards the things that are actually benefiting the people that live here?”
Ferdinand’s net worth is reportedly £57 million. He has settled with his wife Kate, 34, and their young children, Cree, five, and Shae, two, in a £6.5 million property within Al Barari, a gated community known as the Green Heart of Dubai. His daughter Tia, 14, from his marriage to late wife Rebecca Ellison, has also joined them in the Emirates. Meanwhile, his older sons Lorenz, 19, and Tate, 17, have chosen to stay in England. The ex-Manchester United and England player has expressed satisfaction with the transition, saying, “My family is seeing me so much more and I’m spending some quality time with them and I think that’s just been a great thing for me.”
In Dubai, it feels like [my family] are valued, and the lifestyle means that they’re happy and vibrant with a good energy for the kids. The move highlights how athletes navigate the complexities of life choices, living well beyond the pitches where they once shone.
