Rangers' head coach Chris Ramsey and former England striker Ferdinand were senior coaches at Tottenham's academy when Luongo flew in from Sydney for a trial as a 16 year-old and have kept tabs on his career ever since.
After QPR's relegation from the Premier League in May, Ferdinand had no hesitation in forking out $5million to Swindon Town for the 22 year-old as the London club started to revamp its squad with a younger group of players.
"I remember he came in at Tottenham on a trial, we had a look at him and noticed straight away how hard he worked and that he desperately wanted to learn," Ferdinand said.
"The signs were all there that he was going to be a very good player."
Luongo never made a senior appearance for Spurs after signing permanently in 2010 and surprised the club when he knocked back a new contract to join League One side Swindon.
It was a decision Ferdinand believes was the turning point in his career.
"It really impressed me that he signed for Swindon when he could have stayed at Spurs," Ferdinand said.
"A lot of kids at Premier League academies think they're too good to play in League One away from the comforts of a-state-of-the art training facility. But 'Mas' just wanted to go out and play real men's football."
"His progression over the last two years has been huge. We believe he can step up another level with QPR and be a big player for us."
Luongo's performances in the Asian Cup saw him named player of the tournament and didn't surprise Ferdinand who insists he's only just scratched the surface of his potential.
"He's been successful but the best is still to come," he said. "He's still 22 and will get better and better.
"I saw a little bit of the Asian Cup and know how well he did. But that was just a progression of how he'd started the year with Swindon.
"It showed the mental pressure of stepping up a level doesn't faze him.
"He's always cool, calm and collected. That's how he plays and why he has a big future ahead of him with QPR and can become a great player for Australia."
