For decades, Rio Ferdinand and his brother Anton starred in the Premier League, but there may soon be new Ferdinands in town
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand's son has signed for Brighton(Image: Nicolò Campo, LightRocket via Getty Images)
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Rio Ferdinand's son Tate Ferdinand has signed a professional contract with Brighton and Hove Albion. The 17-year-old, a central defender like his old man, has been with the Seagulls since 2024.
The son of the Manchester United legend has already enjoyed some success with Brighton, winning the Sussex Transport Senior Cup final last season. He has mainly featured for their U18s side, but he is expected to soon make the step up to the U21s, where he will be up against youngsters often four years older than him.
After Ferdinand confirmed Tate signed his contract, United legends Edwin van der Sar and Darren Fletcher sent their congratulations to the youngster. It's also the second family success the Ferdinand family has enjoyed at Brighton.
Two weeks after Tate's older brother Lorenz also signed a deal with Brighton, Ferdinand uploaded a picture after the deal was signed. He wrote: "Proud moment with the family, my boy Tate Ferdinand signing his first pro contract. Keep up the hard work."
Van der Sar was among the first of Ferdinand's United colleagues to offer congratulations, commenting: "All the best Tate," while Fletcher also wrote: "Love it" accompanied by some clapping emojis.
Last season, then Brighton U18s manager Bjorn Hamberg did his utmost to encourage supporters and other figures in football not to allow the fact Tate is the son of Ferdinand to place additional pressure on his young shoulders.
Hamberg said: "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."
The fact Tate is competing against players who are four years his senior indicates he is developing at a rapid pace. Last season, he registered 24 appearances with Brighton's U18s squad and even chipped in with two goals.
Given the trajectory of their careers, it's entirely plausible that Lorenz and Tate may line up together on the same side, just as Ferdinand did with his brother Anton.
Lorenz Ferdinand
Lorenz Ferdinand is also part of Brighton's youth set-up along with his brother(Image: Dave Haines / SWNS)
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Notably, when discussing their development in 2025, Ferdinand disclosed his football prodigy sons frequently dismissed his guidance, preferring instead to heed the views and opinions of their coaches.
He said: "Even though I played, when I told them about football when they were 12, 13, 14 years old, they were like 'What do you know?'".
"They were listening to their football coach – who'd never played a league game in his life or been a professional – and coming in and saying 'But so-and-so said this dad'."