Rio Ferdinand reveals he had a hair and beard transplant in Turkey in clever video as England and Manchester United legend turned specialist visits Istanbul clinic

Rio Ferdinand has revealed he underwent a hair and beard transplant at a Turkish clinic in a slick promotional video.

The England and Manchester United legend visited Dr Cinik Hospital in Istanbul for treatment.

In the social media video released by Dr Cinik, Ferdinand, 45, who is now a popular television pundit on TNT Sports, says: “I’m here to get my beard done, I’ve got a few holes, a couple of patches.

“Do my hair transplant. I can’t wait to do it. Listen, if you’re ever thinking about doing your own thing, this is the place to be.”

The video shows Ferdinand arriving at the clinic in shades, greeting Dr Muhammet Emrah Cinik and undergoing the various stages of the hair replacement treatment.

A promotional video for Dr Cinik Hospital in Turkey shows Ferdinand being treated

The 45-year-old is now a fixture at TNT Sports in its Champions League coverage

At the end, he is seen signing a Manchester United shirt to add to similar memorabilia given by other footballers who have visited the clinic.

One photo shows Ferdinand admiring a collection of signed shirts, including those of Liverpool, Marseille, Brazil and Croatia.

The video was released on Monday, but it is unclear exactly when Ferdinand visited. He was part of TNT’s expert panel for June’s Champions League final in Istanbul and United’s trip to Galatasaray in the group stage in November.

Their website states that Ryan Babel and Bacary Sagna have also been there for hair transplants, while David Trezeguet and Diego Lugano have visited for dental work.

Ferdinand has two children – son Cree and daughter Shae – with wife Kate, 32.

He had three children – Lorenz, Tate and Tia – with his first wife Rebecca Ellison before she died of breast cancer aged 34 in 2015.

Ferdinand’s former England and United team-mate Wayne Rooney underwent a hair transplant in 2011 and again in 2013.

He said at the time of his first: “I was bald at 25, why not. I’m happy with the result.”

In 2021, Ferdinand revealed that he used brown dye to cover the gray in his facial hair, but claimed he was “not ashamed” of the aging process.

Ferdinand presented a signed Manchester United shirt at the Dr Cinik Center in Istanbul

The 90-second video showed various stages of the hair replacement treatment being undergone

Ferdinand was pictured with his wife Kate in an Instagram snap this week

Ferdinand keeps his head covered during the recent Newcastle v AC Milan match

He told the Mid Point podcast with Gabby Logan: “I dye my beard sometimes. I’m getting gray hairs there. I paint it. I think it looks better.

“I’m not ashamed of having gray hair, I don’t care, but it looks better if it’s all one color.

“If everything went gray, all the beard was gray, I would let it go. But it’s like a patchwork. I would, that distinct look, if it was all grey, I wouldn’t care. But it’s the patchwork, I’m like a Dalmatian, I don’t like it.’