Rio Ferdinand admits he was ready to turn to a television career and retire from football before Harry Redknapp offered to bring him to QPR this summer.

Ferdinand, who turns 36 in November, quit Manchester United at the end of last season after 12 successful years at Old Trafford.

The defender was a free agent while he worked as a television pundit at the World Cup in Brazil and although several offers came from England and abroad, he was preparing to hang up his boots before Rangers came in.

"If I had not come back to a team in London, I probably would have retired," Ferdinand said.

"I would have done TV, maybe coaching. I enjoyed the TV work in the summer so I would have done more of that."

He continued: "My representatives spoke to a few teams out in America, the Middle East and Europe as well but the main thing was getting back to London and when Harry gave me the call, all bets were off."

Ferdinand is reported to have taken a significant wage cut to join Redknapp's side and the 35-year-old insists he has a special affection for QPR, having played at the club as a boy.

"I could have earned a lot more money elsewhere, but the money has never been an issue for me," Ferdinand said.

"People sometimes forget that when you are a kid, you play football because you love playing football.

"This was not about money, it was about playing in a competitive league, in London, for a team I have an affinity with from years ago.

"This was the first club I ever went to as a kid."