The Black Cats centre-back was devastated by the King of Pop's sudden death in June and has plotted a special tribute to his idol if he gets on the scoresheet this season!

And Ferdinand, yet to score for Sunderland, revealed he and famous brother Rio had lined up a meeting with Jackson at his sell-out shows in London this summer.

Ferdinand was on holiday when Jackson died in Los Angeles on June 25, just a couple of days before Manchester United and England star Rio's sumptuous Caribbean wedding with long-time partner Rebecca Ellison.

The Sunderland defender said: "I'm pleased to get the season started after a busy summer.

"I went away with my girlfriend and we had a wonderful time. There was Rio's wedding, which was great, but a sad thing was that my hero Michael Jackson died.

"Me and Rio had it all arranged to meet Michael in London. I was 10 days away from meeting my idol when he died and it broke my heart.

"I've followed his career closely. He was an icon – if ever I am in a bad mood, I can listen to one of his songs and I will be in a good mood again.

"I have been contemplating a tribute to him if I score this season, but I'm not too sure it will work out.

"I actually thought of putting a glove in my sock to pull out if I score, but it could be down there a couple of years because I've not scored for a while!"

Ferdinand reckons it's going to a big season for him and Sunderland as he looks to put last season's struggles behind him.

He said: "I always look back on my games – the things I do well and the things I could have done better.

"I did a lot of that in the summer, but the new season starts here and now I'm looking forward.

"We've got Steve Bruce in as manager and he is well respected, someone who enjoys his football and that shows with the way we have played in pre-season.

"It has probably been the hardest pre-season I have ever done, but the most enjoyable one."

Sunderland survived in the top flight by only two points last season, their fate not being decided until the closing day of the campaign.

But Ferdinand says a bright start to the new season – with tomorrow's visit to Bolton followed by home games against Chelsea and Blackburn – will help erase some of the bad memories of his debut campaign at the Stadium of Light.

He said: "It's a fresh start for everyone.

"I am looking forward to pushing Sunderland to bigger and better things this season and a good start to the season would give us something to build on.

"I always feel I have something to prove – I will feel like that until I hang up my boots.

"People will always see me as Rio's brother and measure me against someone who is the best defender in the world.

"It is something I have to deal with, but it's a good thing to deal with.

"I still have a lot to prove, not just to other people, but to myself. I'm very determined and ambitious and I want to show that for Sunderland this season."