‘So incredibly welcoming' – Laura Woods pays personal tribute to Rio Ferdinand as Man Utd legend, 46, leaves TNT Sports
The ex-England star has not ruled out moving to a rival
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LAURA WOODS has issued a heartfelt farewell to Rio Ferdinand on his final TNT Sports appearance.
The Manchester United legend is stepping away from the broadcaster after 10 years as a pundit.
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Laura Woods (left) has paid tribute to Rio Ferdinand (centre) on his final TNT broadcast
Credit: PA
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The former Man Utd star has spent a decade as a pundit for the network
Credit: PA
Ferdinand was on the TNT panel for Saturday's Champions League final in Munich.
He was joined by host Woods, Steven Gerrard and Owen Hargreaves for his last broadcast.
Following PSG's emphatic 5-0 win, Rio said: "I just want to say thank you to everybody that I've worked with.
"My job was made a lot easier by the great people and friends that I have worked with and will remain friends for many years."
READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
RIO EXIT Rio Ferdinand quitting TNT Sports after 10 years as Man Utd icon issues statement
The ex-England centre-back joined TNT back in 2015 as a pundit.
He was drafted onto co-commentary duty shortly after and claimed his decision to leave was "difficult".
Woods had one "final goodbye" for Ferdinand as Saturday's broadcast from Munich wound down.
The presenter said: "Rio, before we leave, just one final goodbye.
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"From us here at TNT Sport, to you. That is it for your career here, for now.
"Can I just say on behalf of all of us - including everyone behind the camera - you've been an absolute pleasure.
PSG crowned Champions League winners after smashing Inter Milan 5-0
"And personally since I joined, you've been so incredibly welcoming.
"You'll be sorely, sorely missed."
Despite being incredibly busy with TNT for the last decade, Ferdinand has managed to launch a hugely successful podcast.
His 'Rio Ferdinand Presents' pod, which was previously called 'Vibe with Five', has over 1.3 MILLION subscribers on YouTube.
He has also been linked with a potential move to the BBC in the wake of Gary Lineker's departure on Match of the Day.
Ferdinand's final game as a pundit proved to be a cracker, with PSG stunning Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich.
Champions League final REACTION - PSG 5-0 Inter Follow all the fallout and reaction from the Champions League final with SunSport's blog
Luis Enrique's side ended the Parisian's Champions League drought in style, overpowering the Italians thanks to standout performance from Desire Doue.
An emotional Enrique said: "Since day one, I said I wanted to win important trophies, and Paris had never won the Champions League.
"We did it for the first time. It's a great feeling to make many people happy."
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