Rio Ferdinand’s younger son, Tate, has followed in his older brother’s footsteps by signing a professional contract with a Premier League club.
Their father is one of the best defenders of the Premier League era, best remembered for his 12-year spell with Manchester United, where he won 14 trophies including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Rio worked as a pundit for 10 years after retirement but is now focused on other opportunities. He runs the successful Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, boasting 1.6 million subscribers, and has done jobs for FIFA around the 2026 World Cup - including hosting the draw in December 2025.
It was revealed last year that Rio’s eldest son, Lorenz, had signed his first professional contract with Brighton and Hove Albion.
The 19-year-old is an aspiring goalkeeper who was part of Brighton’s 2025-26 Premier League 2 play-off winning squad.
Tate Ferdinand Signs Pro Deal at Premier League Club
Rio Ferdinand with his children in 2013Action Images / Jason Cairnduff
Lorenz’s younger brother Tate has now also signed pro terms with the Seagulls, with Rio announcing via Instagram: “Proud moment with the family, my boy Tate Ferdinand signed his first pro contract. Keep up the hard work.”
Tate Ferdinand signs BrightonInstagram
Tate has already earned comparisons with his legendary father after starring for Brighton’s Under-21s last term.
It was said that he “moved and sounded” like his dad after playing in the Sussex Transport Senior Cup against Isthmian South East side Hassocks last October, per The Sun.
He showed similar ability on the ball while wearing the number five jersey - the number his father wore at Old Trafford.
Despite the attention that comes with being the son of such a famous footballer, Brighton’s Under-18s head coach Bjorn Hamberg insisted last year that the youngster is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
“I am sure he doesn’t care about that (attention),” Hamberg said, via The Argus. “Tate Ferdinand is Tate Ferdinand and he needs to be play his game and have his pathway and career.
“For us as a team, for the under-18s as a captain, he is a big voice in our dressing room.
“He is obviously a leader in the back line and playing very well for the moment. I am really pleased for him as well.”
It remains to be seen whether either Lorenz or Tate will be handed their senior debuts at Brighton this season, but both teenagers now appear to be knocking on the first-team’s door.