Bentleys, Ferraris and Lamborghinis – today’s A-list footballers ride around in seriously flash motors. Even youngsters such as Man United’s Anderson and Darren Gibson are getting snapped in Audi R8s and Nissan GT-Rs.

But it was different for former Liverpool and England star Jamie Redknapp.

“I had a Peugeot 309”, says Jamie. “I bought it when I was 17 and playing for Bournemouth (in 1990). It wasn’t too bad compared to some of the cars in the training ground car park”.

As one of the game’s hottest prospect, Redknapp was Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish’s last signing when he joined the Reds in 1991.

He was subsequently catapulted into the glitzier world of top-flight football – and that’s no place for a Peugeot 309.

“I needed an upgrade when I moved to Liverpool so I bought a BMW 318i off my teammate Mike Marsh”.

A creative central midfielder with a knack for brilliant passes, Redknapp’s career was tragically cut short due to a spate of injuries. However, in his time he earned hero status at Liverpool and also played 17 times for England, putting in a fantastic performance in the famous victory over Scotland at Euro ’96.

Amazing Audi Centre

Redknapp, a Sky Sports pundit and husband of pop star and model Louise Redknapp, was talking to Auto Trader after attending the opening of the new Audi Centre in west London (pictured, right).  

“It’s amazing”, says Jamie. “The workmanship is fantastic and demonstrates how well Audi is doing despite what’s going on with the economy.”

Audi invited the likes of super-chef Gordon Ramsay, footballing hero Ryan Giggs and F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart to the opening of its largest showroom.

The seven storey building took six years and £45 million to build. Capable of displaying 116 cars and boasting a heritage section, it’s quite a sight as you approach London on the M40.

New R8 Spyder

And the German car maker used the event to hand a UK debut to its latest model, the stunning R8 Spyder.

“It is an amazing car”, says Jamie. “In black it looks great but I don’t think I’m going to get one at the moment what with the kids, but I wouldn’t mind one in the future”.

Gallery: Audi R8 Spyder unveiled in Frankfurt

Redknapp’s currently drives a 4.2-litre Audi Q7 TDI S Line while Louise’s daily runabout is a Mini.

Search for a used Audi Q7

“I love my Q7, it’s great!  It ticks all boxes – it’s good looking, practical and quick”.

“I’ve got my boys (Charley, five and Beau, 11 months) and I play a lot of golf so I need something that is safe with space”.

In the past two of Redknapp’s cars have come up for sale on Auto Trader – a BMW 645Ci and a Porsche Cayenne Tiptronic which he only owned for a month.

Search for a used BMW 6 Series
Search for a used Porsche Cayenne

Jamie and Louise have also owned the footballer’s staple motor – a Range Rover Sport HSE.

“My dad (Spurs boss Harry Redknapp) is on the lookout for a new car”, says Jamie.

“He lives in Dorset but works in London so he does quite a few miles. It’s between a Range Rover and a Q7 but I’m recommending the Audi.”

Redknapp’s car career may not have begun in the fashion of today’s supercar-driving footballers – but it’s not to say it wasn’t without its benefits.

“I passed my driving test first time – the examiner was a Bournemouth fan so I didn’t have much to do”.

Jamie Redknapp is an ambassador for Audi

Gallery: click below to find out what the WAGs drive