The 29-year-old, who was dropped from his first England squad 11 years ago after being arrested for drink-driving and has also been involved in a sex-video scandal, has been given the armband ahead of previous skipper John Terry.
Ferdinand joined Leeds in November 2000 for £18m, then a British transfer record, as well as becoming the world's most expensive defender. In August 2001, he became the captain at Elland Road.