The former England and Manchester United defender, 46, and ex-TOWIE star Kate, 33, announced the move on Instagram, describing it as “a new chapter” and “a fresh start”.
The couple, who married in 2019, said they had long talked about relocating to the United Arab Emirates city, where they first met.
The Ferdinands will be leaving behind their £4million mansion in Bromley, which boasts a swimming pool, gym and dressing room, according to OK! Magazine.
Sharing their excitement online, the couple captioned their post: “A new chapter, a fresh start — because if we don’t try, we’ll never know.
“Ahhh! We’ve talked about this for so long, and now it’s finally real… we’re here. We are making a new home in the place we met!
“Missing some of our specials already & a bit scared, excited & nervous — but more than anything, ready for fresh starts and new beginnings.”
Photos showed the family by a pool with Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in the background, while a video captured daughter Shae hanging a sign on her new bedroom door. Another snap showed one of the family’s dogs looking out of a plane window.
Kate is stepmother to Rio’s three older children Lorenz, 19, Tate, 17, and Tia, 14, from his first marriage to Rebecca Ellison, who died of breast cancer in 2015. The pair also share son Cree, four, and daughter Shae, two.
Just days before announcing the move, Ferdinand was spotted at Scott’s Tradition Pie & Mash in Orpington on Wednesday, August 6.
Staff said it was a “pleasure to welcome” him, adding: “Come back anytime, Rio – pie and mash is always on us.”
