Ferdinand shows off his new hair and beard transplant ahead of Chelsea vs Luton

Rio Ferdinand showed off his new hair and beard transplant on television for the first time ahead of Chelsea's Premier League clash with Luton at Kenilworth Road on Saturday.

The England and Manchester United legend recently visited the Dr Cinik hospital in Istanbul to undergo the treatment.

Ferdinand was part of TNT Sports' coverage of the Premier League clash, starring alongside Jermaine Jenas on the punditry team.

In a social media video released by Dr Cinik last week, Ferdinand said: 'I'm here to get my beard sorted out, I've got a couple of holes, a couple of patches.

'Get my hair transplant done. I can't wait to get it done. Listen, if you're ever thinking about getting yours done, this is the place to be.'

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

At the end of the clip, he was seen signing a Manchester United shirt to add to similar memorabilia given by other footballers who had visited the clinic in the past.

The Dr Cinik hospital website says 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 excitedly took to social media on Saturday morning to announce he was going 'back to work' after the Christmas break.

The defender posted on X, formerly Twitter: 'Morning morning! Back to work we go…. Luton vs Chelsea - live + direct on @footballontnt. Let’s go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

Ferdinand has two children - son Cree and daughter Shae - with his 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 also underwent a hair transplant in 2011 and again in 2013.

The ex-England star said at the time of his first one: 'I was going bald at 25, why not. I'm delighted with the result.'

Back in 2021, Ferdinand revealed he used brown dye to cover the greys in his facial hair but claimed he wasn't 'ashamed' of the ageing process.

He told The Mid Point podcast with Gabby Logan: 'I dye my beard sometimes; I get grey hairs there. I dye it. I think it looks better.

'I'm not ashamed of having grey hair, I don't care, but it looks better if it's all one colour.

'If it all went grey, the whole beard was grey, I'd let it just go. But it's like patchwork. I'd like it, that distinguished look, if it was all grey, I wouldn't care. But it's the patchwork business, I'm like a Dalmatian, I don't like it.'