Rio Ferdinand has ripped into what he called ‘vulgar’ Arsenal fans for their ‘utterly disgraceful’ protests against the arrival of Noni Madueke to the club.

The England winger is about to complete a move to the Gunners in a deal worth £52 million, along with personal terms and a five year contract.

The 23-year-old had trained with his Chelsea team-mates on Thursday morning in New York ahead of their Club World Cup final match against Paris Saint Germain this Sunday, but has since returned to the UK to complete his medical ahead of his move to Arsenal.

Noni Madueke in action against Markus Poom, left, and Lee Grace of Shamrock Rovers during the UEFA Conference League match between Chelsea and Shamrock Rovers at Stamford Bridge. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

He will become the fourth signing for the Gunners this summer, joining Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga, and he’s the seventh Chelsea player signed under the watch of Mikel Arteta.

But sections of the Arsenal fan base are not happy with the signing, with a petition against his move to the club clocking up almost 5,000 signatures, and murals outside the Emirates stadium vandalised.

Madueke’s impending move has been greeted with disdain by sections of the Arsenal fan base, with a brutal petition against his move racking up near to 5,000 signatures.

Rio Ferdinand – Pic: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

But now Rio Ferdinand has waded into the fray and rushed to Maduekes defence, saying he has ‘never seen anything like this before’.

Posting on X, Ferdinand said, ‘For a young 23-year-old English footballer to be vilified, bullied, embarrassed and totally stripped down at a time when you’re meant to be celebrating a transfer worth £55million.’

He added, ‘Yes a young kid with a dream, about to secure a £55million dream move to a club of his desire, leaving a rival at that, to be treated in this manner, via a section of the Arsenal fan base, is an utter disgrace’.

TV pundit and former England player Rio Ferdinand – Pic: Visionhaus/Getty Images

‘Just put yourself in his shoes for one minute just put yourself in his parents shoes for one minute and just think of how that feeling must be’.

‘I’ll say it again, at a time as a player, as a human, as a family, you should be celebrating. I just hope the people that are closest to him are around him and supporting him in the way that he needs right now’.

‘It’s fine for fans to disagree with signings or decisions made at their football club but the way some fans have publicly voiced their opinions and those who have gone a step further in publicly joining a petition for this player not to be signed by their football club is beyond me’.

‘I have never seen anything like this before, and I hope I don’t ever again. Like I said earlier just imagine this was your best friend, one of your family members, your brother, your son, then tell me how would you feel if they were on the receiving end of this vulgar behaviour???

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 15:Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea clash ahead of a penalty kick, as Conor Gallagher and Noni Madueke react during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Everton FC at Stamford Bridge on April 15, 2024 in London, England.(Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

‘By the way, This isn’t aimed at all Arsenal fans it’s just a small section who have become very loud unfortunately’.

‘I just hope the transfer goes through and Noni Madueke rams all of this negativity back down the throats of these impostors. Whatever happens from here good luck Noni.’

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