Wife of Rio Ferdinand dies after battle with cancer

London - Rebecca Ellison, the wife of former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, has died following a short battle with cancer. She was 34 years old.

Ferdinand, currently plying his trade with Queens Park Rangers, released the following statement through the club's website on Saturday:

My soul mate slipped away last night. Rebecca, my wonderful wife, passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.

She was a fantastic loving mother to our three beautiful children. She will be missed as a wife, sister, aunt, daughter and granddaughter. She will live on in our memory, as a guide and inspiration.

Myself, my parents Janice and Julian, along with Rebecca's parents Lesley and Stephen, would like to thank our families, friends and my club colleagues who have rallied around in these desperate days, weeks and months.

I would also like to express my gratitude for the dedication and expertise of the staff led by Professors Johnstone and Clarke at the Royal Marsden. Their valiant efforts to prolong Rebecca's all-too-short life will not be forgotten.

Our grief, as a family, is total. We would appreciate being allowed to mourn privately.

The couple married in 2009 when Ferdinand played for Manchester United.

Ellison is survived by three children: Lorenz, nine, Tate, six, and four-year-old Tia.