Rio Ferdinand ready to propose to ex-TOWIE star Kate Wright?

Rio Ferdinand is in the middle of a life-changing transformation, having just announced plans to take up professional boxing.

But he’s reportedly keen to shake up his personal life too, as friends close to the star have revealed he is preparing to ask his girlfriend Kate Wright to marry him.

For Rio, his relationship with Kate is his first romance since the death of his wife Rebecca, who passed away in 2015 following a battle with cancer.

Not long after they made it official, The Only Way Is Essex star turned her back on the showbiz industry to help the former England footballer raise his three children, Lorenz, 11, Tate, nine, and Tia, six.

And her loyalty towards him and his family has reportedly made the 38-year-old sports star realise he needs to offer her the same commitment, according to the Daily Star.

A source said: “Rio is all about the ring right now. His ambition is to win a belt in boxing.

“But we reckon he’s after another ring long term – an engagement ring for Kate.

“She’s given up everything for him – now it’s time for him to commit to her.”

Kate quit ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ earlier this year amid rumours that she’d started dating Rio.

She said at the time: “I’m taking a step back from the public eye, I want to keep my life private as I lived my previous relationship on ‘TOWIE’, my priority right now is Rio and the family.”

We wish them all the happiness in the world.