In some ways Rio Ferdinand is a typical footballer - massive wage packet, big money career transfers, fancy cars and the occasional brush with controversy, including an eight month ban for missing a drugs test.
But unlike many of his high-profile colleagues, who seem to content themselves with the PlayStation and trips to the bookies, Ferdinand is something of an entrepreneur.
The Manchester United star already runs his own record label ‘White Chalk Records' which he founded four years ago and now plans to launch a free online magazine, entitled Rio.
The magazine will target around half a million 16-35 year-old males surprisingly enough - with the man himself stepping into the shoes of editor-in-chief.
It sounds OK. The first issue includes interviews with 50 Cent and Mickey Rourke promoting his new film ‘The Wrestler'.
The 29 year-old also starred as Jeremy Beadle-esque TV show made by his own production company in which he played pranks on his unwitting team-mates in a show called ‘Rio's World Cup Windups'.
And, as you'd expect, the England man has the usual brand tie-ups with the likes of Nike, for which he is currently starring in an ad campaign.
Long gone are the days of footballers retiring and buying the local pub to see them through their twilight years. But unlike so many modern day footballers Ferdinand looks set to have a colourful career long after his Old Trafford days are behind him.
