Rio Ferdinand plans to 'make engagement to Kate Wright official' by Christmas after late wife Rebecca's dying wish that he should remain happy

Retired former Man United and England footballer, Rio Ferdinand, 38, is reportedly ready to engage  26-year-old Kate Wright this December and start a new family with his three children Lorenz, 11, Tate, nine, and six-year-old Tia.

Ferdinand, who made his relationship with reality tv star,Kate, public last month, revealed that his late wife, Rebecca who died of cancer in 2015, gave him the 'blessing' during her last hours on earth to go ahead and remarry if it'll make him happy.

"Kate was over the moon when Rio told her he wanted to get married," a source told Now Magazine. "They'll announce it properly in December but it's full steam ahead for them."

"Rebecca told Lisa something in the final weeks of her life," Rio told The Sun.
"Months later Lisa told me what it was... 'It kills me to think of Rio with a new partner, Lisa, you know it does. Of course it does.
"'But you know what kills me even more? Thinking of him alone and lonely.
"'If I don't make it, Lisa, I don't want Rio to be miserable. I want him to be happy.'"
"To my total surprise, I met someone and at first I wasn't sure I should let free my feelings," he said.
"In an emotionally vulnerable state, one's judgement can be all over the place.
"I wanted to get to know this beautiful young woman better and, as I have done on occasions, turned to Lisa for advice.
"Of all the things Lisa has done for me, this may have been the hardest. Rebecca had been her best friend. "It's a measure of Lisa's love that she put aside her feelings, offered friendship to this stranger and gave the relationship her whole-hearted encouragement. I will be forever in her debt."