Man Utd legend’s son signs first pro deal at Premier League club as ex-Red Devils icons send heartwarming messages

RIO FERDINAND’s son Tate has signed his first professional contract with a Premier League club. The teenager has been with Brighton and Hove Albion since 2024 and has featured for the youth teams and Under-18s and Under-21s. Tate Ferdinand has signed a pro deal at Brighton Credit: http://www.instagram.com/rioferdy5/ He is the son of Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand Credit: http://www.instagram.com/rioferdy5/ Tate, 17, has done enough to impress the club to be handed a pro deal at the Amex Stadium. The deal was celebrated by his Manchester United legend father on social media. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! Ferdinand, 47, shared a picture of Tate signing his new contract along with one of them two smiling together. He shared the post on Instagram with a heartwarming caption. He wrote: “Proud moment with the family, my boy Tate signed his first pro contract with Brighton. “Keep up the hard work.” Tate received plenty of congratulations from the world of football, including his father’s old work colleagues. Iconic goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar commented: “All the best Tate.” Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Uncle Anton Ferdinand posted a number of love heart emojis. Joeleon Lescott said: “Sick.” Former NFL star and now Hollywood star Terry Crews wrote fire emojis. Wales cult hero Hal Robson Kanu added: “Yesss!!! Just getting started, congrats all.” Tate follows in the footsteps of his brother Lorenz, who signed a deal with the Seagulls in 2025. Lorenz, 20, unlike his family members, does not play as a centre-back and instead is a goalkeeper. They will likely be team-mates at some point for the Seagulls in what will be remarkably similar to the start of Rio and Anton’s careers at West Ham. The two defenders both progressed through the Hammers’ youth academy but never played together for the senior side. Comment now