The England ace already has a substantial property portfolio, including seven holiday homes in Morocco, and homes in Barbados, the Turks and Caicos Islands and London.

In 2008, he turned to an estate agent affiliated with the Professional Footballers’ Association – Clearview International – in order to decide which properties in the Caribbean to invest in. Rio Ferdinand went into business with John Terry, purchasing the Caicos Beach Club Resort and Marina and planning a football academy on the island.

The footballer, who also owns buy-to-lets in Elephant and Castle and Deptford, is reportedly considering going into property management at the end of his playing career.

For his latest project, the 32-year-old defender asked the architect to design a five bedroom property, with a 12-person Jacuzzi, outdoor infinity pool and a custom-built hide where he can watch a colony of beavers.

The property will also be equipped with anti-paparazzi technology. This includes infrared lasers able to detect cameras from long distance in order to prevent the press from taking unwanted photographs.