Rio Ferdinand’s £7million Dubai bolthole revealed as he moves with wife Kate to lavish seven-bedroom mansion – hidden inside gated community in middle of the desert

Rio Ferdinand and his TOWIE reality star wife Kate have packed up their lives in south-east London in exchange for a lavish £6.5million mansion in the sun-soaked desert of Dubai.

Yesterday, Kate, 34, took to Instagram to announce her and the ex-England footballer’s ‘fresh start’ in United Arab Emirates, giving her 1.4million followers a glimpse into their new grand seven-bedroom mansion.

Explaining the Ferdinands’ decision to up sticks to the high-end suburb, the mother-of-two told fans they had discussed the move for ‘so long’ before making ‘a new home in the place [they] met’ a reality. 

Alongside the life update, she shared several photos of the family as she sported a mint green bikini, giving a sneak peak into their ultra-modern 12,700 square foot home which boasts a sprawling garden and a pool.

Fellow celebs, previous co-stars and peers congratulated the family on their move, with the likes of TOWIE’s Georgia Kousoulou, Rochelle Humes and former Scottish footballer Ally McCoist leaving well wishes. 

And now the Daily Mail can reveal their new bolthole, located in the exclusive gated community of Al Barari, was listed for 32.5million dirhams (£6,550,310) as of April this year.

Al Barari, also dubbed as the Green Heart of Dubai, has been praised as an award-winning eco-community, boasting around 15.3million square feet of preserved green space. 

But its ‘rich biodiversity’ and ‘quiet’ setting isn’t the only reason the area is praised, with properties, celebrated for their ‘generous layouts’ and ‘clean designs’, fetching for as much as 100,000,000 dirhams (£20,154,800). 

The couple were joined by their children as they enjoyed a pool day in their new home

The property which was previously listed for 32.5million dirhams (£6,550,310.00) boasts a basement cinema as well as a rooftop terrace (Pictured: the open plan living room)

Located only a stone’s throw away from Dubai’s major social hubs and amenities, the Ferdinands’ home boasts a seamless and chic white interior running throughout. 

According to a previous advertisement, their ‘state of the art’ kitchen features high-end Miele appliances as well as a sleek centre island with grey counter tops. 

Described as a ‘serene retreat’, the master bedroom takes a more minimalist approach when it comes to furniture, with wooden and brown accents. 

However, the main bedroom does come with a ‘spa-inspired’ bathroom, his-and-her walk-in closets and a balcony to enjoy the views of not only their lush garden but the far-reaching lake. 

Elsewhere, the open plan living area continues the seamless cream theme, with light green curtains, in keeping with the sprawling foliage outside, with views of the luxe pool thanks to the wide patio doors. 

The home also comes with a basement cinema, as well as a rooftop terrace where views of the sprawling Dubai desert can be enjoyed.  

But the Ferdinands won’t be the only celebrity couple in Al Barari, with the neighbourhood also being home to The Real Housewives of Dubai star, Caroline Stanbury, and her husband and ex-Real Madrid footballer Sergio Carrallo.

It comes after Rio recently revealed the motivation behind his decision to relocate to Dubai just months after quitting his punditry role at TNT Sports.

The former footballer, 46, and TOWIE star, 34, have packed up and moved from Bromley in South East London to the United Arab Emirates

The property’s ‘state of the art’ kitchen features high-end Miele appliances as well as a sleek centre island with a grey counter tops

The main bedroom does come with a ‘spa-inspired’ bathroom, his-and-her walk-in closets and a balcony to enjoy the views of not only their lush garden but the far-reaching lake

Kate shared a snap of their crisp cream living room filled with plush interiors 

Pictured: Elsewhere in the Al Barari neighbourhood is also the Seventh Heaven building 

Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Kate shared an array of snaps of their new life abroad and gave a glimpse into their plush new home

Rio recently revealed the motivation behind his decision to relocate to Dubai just months after quitting his punditry role at TNT Sports

The former Manchester United and England defender announced in May that he was parting ways with the broadcaster at the end of last season to focus on his business interests.

Ferdinand, whose time on TNT Sports (previously known as BT Sport) spanned 10 years, has decided to relocate with his family to the United Arab Emirates, despite his 19-year-old son Lorenz signing his first professional contract with Brighton in July.

‘There’s not one reason,’ Ferdinand told The National, opening up on the decision. ‘I went for the Global Soccer Awards at Christmas and I hadn’t been there properly for about seven or eight years. I used to go there all the time before. 

‘We spent time with a couple of (partner) Kate’s friends who lived there and I just saw a different side to it. I also have a business out there, Football Escapes. 

‘In Dubai, it feels like they’re valued and the lifestyle means that they’re happy and vibrant with a good energy for the kids. Lifestyle, safety, weather and just a new life. 

‘I wanted a new chapter and I’ve been doing TNT (TV) since I retired for the last 10-11 years. When I made the decision, I thought ‘this must be 30 years when my life is driven by the fixture list.’ Not now. I’m not leaving football, but it’s just not the governing body of my life now. I’ve got to be honest, it feels nice.’

In another sweet snap, Kate relaxed on their new bed with son Cree after making the move 

She captioned the snaps: ‘A new chapter, a fresh start — because if we don’t try, we’ll never know’✨’

Rio recently revealed the motivation behind his decision to relocate to Dubai just months after quitting his punditry role at TNT Sports

The Manchester United legend went on to admit that his children’s education was a key motivation behind the move. 

Rio shares four-year-old Cree and two-year-old Shae with wife Kate, who is also stepmother to his three teenage children Lorenz, Tate, 17, and Tia, 14, from his previous marriage to Rebecca Ellison – who tragically passed away in 2015.

‘I thought about moving, then we went back again in February for a little look at the schools just in case and it just pricked my mind to think about it,’ he added. 

‘That was almost like a big kicker for me because the education system felt different, felt better for my kids. The children who are coming are 14, which is perfect because it’s their two years of GCSEs starting this August. 

‘Then we’ve got a four and a two-year-old, so it’s perfect timing for them as well. And the curriculum is English curriculum, but it’s just done a different way. I feel the teachers in the UK feel a little bit like undervalued, underpaid.’