London, Apr 22 : An aspiring model's curvaceous figure that was deemed unfit for lingerie modeling has caught the fancy of footie star Rio Ferdinand, who has signed her up as the face of his online magazine.

Geordie beauty Francoise Boufhal has become the face of #5, which concentrates on music, fashion, film and sport.

The 28H Maxim cover girl was selected from hundreds of other hopefuls after she impressed the Manchester United defender during her interview.

London, Apr 1 : Defender Rio Ferdinand says England has "still got a lot to prove" despite their flying start under coach Fabio Capello which has put them on course for the 2010 World Cup finals.

England will move another step to achieving that goal if they achieve their fifth successive victory in their qualifying group by defeating Ukraine at Wembley on Wednesday night.

London, Apr. 1 : England football star Rio Ferdinand has said that the ruthless manner in which Fabio Capello has discarded Michael Owen has taught England’s stars that any cap they win may be their last.

Capello’s mantra is simple. If you are not fit, or not playing well, you are out.

And Ferdinand believes that is just as it should be — however much it may hurt the Newcastle striker.

But, as England prepared to tackle Ukraine at Wembley tonight, Ferdinand spelled out how the striker’s omission has kept everyone on their toes.

London, Mar. 26 : Manchester United and England star Rio Ferdinand has said that though he is a millionaire, he finds fame and fortune boring, and prefers slippers and Corrie to a night of partying.

England hero Rio, 30, who rakes in 120,000 pounds a week, said: "People have a vision of what footballers do in their spare time and it's nothing like that. I'm not in nightclubs every night, that's for sure.

London, Mar. 3 (ANI): When England and Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand marries fiancée Rebecca Ellison in August, an owl will swoop down to deliver the rings.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Ollie, a barn owl, will carry the rings in a velvet pouch to the best man who will be wearing a falconer's glove for her to perch on during the vows the moment the registrar asks the 30-year-old centre back: "Do you have the rings?"

London, Feb. 10 : Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand believes that David Beckham has proved that he is far more substance than showbiz.

Former England skipper Becks will win his 108th cap against Spain in Seville tomorrow night.

That will move him alongside the late, great Bobby Moore as the country's most capped outfield player.

Yet still there are the doubters who slam Beckham's glitzy lifestyle and believe it is sacrilege for him to be mentioned in the same breath as Moore.