Fulham FC youngster Chris Smalling admits he is relishing the prospect of linking up with Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand when he moves to the Premier League champions in the summer.

The England Under-21 international will link up with his Manchester United colleagues in June after Sir Alex Ferguson agreed to pay Fulham FC a reputed £10 million for his services, and Smalling can’t wait to learn from the 31-year-old Old Trafford stalwart.

Smalling revealed he met Ferdinand when he underwent his medical in January prior to agreeing his move to Manchester United, and the 20-year-old admits he will be looking to learn a great deal from the newly appointed England captain.

The Fulham FC starlet told the Manchester Evening News: “When you are young and there is someone like Rio playing in your position, someone who has played so many games for England and Manchester United, you are always trying to take bits and pieces from his game,”

“I met him when I went up to Manchester for a medical which was great.”