Royston Drenthe was rushed to hospital after suffering a stroke.
The ex-Real Madrid and Everton man, who is 38 years old, fell ill on Friday and was immediately taken to hospital.
Drenthe was tipped for big things at Real Madrid but played only 65 times
3
Drenthe was tipped for big things at Real Madrid but played only 65 timesCredit: AFP - Getty
A statement from his current team FC De Rebellen, a team of veterans in the Netherlands, said: “Last Friday, Royston Drenthe suffered a stroke.
“Drenthe is currently being taken good care of and is in good hands. The team and those involved are hoping for a smooth recovery.
“Royston’s family is asking for peace and privacy during this period so they can provide him with the support and space he needs for his recovery.”
Royston Drenthe's career
Drenthe was long touted as a future superstar when he broke through at Feyenoord as a youngster.
He was a rapid winger and quickly became a fan favourite for Championship Manager players.
It is unsurprising that Real Madrid came calling in 2007, but problems off the pitch started to catch up with him.
“Playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, you feel like a god,” he later revealed.
“I started drinking heavily, even though I had to train the next day. I had a step-up contract: in my first year, I earned €1.6million and received a signing bonus of €500,000.”
He did win a LaLiga title in his time with the Spanish giants, before leaving permanently in 2012.
English football fans will remember him from an unsuccessful loan spell at Everton before joining Championship sides Reading and Sheffield Wednesday.
Drenthe has gone through many careers in retirement
3
Drenthe has gone through many careers in retirementCredit: Getty
He made headlines recently when Ryan Babel posted about the home he rented out to Drenthe, saying he still owed him rent.
He briefly retired in 2016, aged 29, to pursue a career in rap, before reversing that decision two years later and returning to local side Sparta Rotterdam.
From there Drenthe went to the Netherlands third division with Kozakken Boys, where he declared bankruptcy with debts of £3.2million.
He said after a court appearance: “I don't know the ins and outs and I don't know exactly what's going on, but if this is what I think it is, it's not that important.
“I'm always under a magnifying glass, but it will be resolved as it should.”
Eventually in 2022 he retired for good aged 35 and has since undergone an extraordinary career outside of football.
Read More on talkSPORT
Drenthe won a title with his local side Sparta Rotterdam to end his playing career on a high
3
Drenthe won a title with his local side Sparta Rotterdam to end his playing career on a highCredit: Getty
He has appeared on various TV shows and reality series, giving him a truly unique CV since stepping away from the pitch.
Most recently, he has been working as a pundit for Ziggo Sports over the last two years.