A statement from FC De Rebellen has confirmed that former Everton man Royston Drenthe was rushed to hospital after suffering a stroke earlier this week
Former Real Madrid and Everton winger Royston Drenthe is recovering after suffering a stroke
Former Real Madrid and Everton winger Royston Drenthe is recovering after suffering a stroke
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Former Everton midfielder Royston Drenthe is recovering in hospital after suffering a stroke. The 38-year-old suffered the medical emergency on Friday and was immediately transported to hospital.
In a statement, FC De Rebellen confirmed: "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."
Drenthe was long touted as a future superstar when he broke through at Feyenoord as a youngster. His impressive displays for the Dutch side saw him earn a move to Real Madrid.
But after struggling for gametime at the Santiago Bernabeu, Drenthe moved to Everton on loan during the 2011/12 campaign. And although he initially impressed, by the following April he was left out of the FA Cup semi-final defeat by Liverpool due to a discipline issue.
Opening up on his time on Merseyside, he said back in 2023: "A lot has been made in the past of my time at the club and the kind of character I was when I joined, and people know all about my relationship with David Moyes - especially while I was a player at Goodison Park.
Royston Drenthe, who played for Everton during the 2011/12 campaign, is recovering after suffering a stroke
Royston Drenthe, who played for Everton during the 2011/12 campaign, is recovering after suffering a stroke(Image: Marcel van Dorst / EYE4images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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“I think back now with a completely different mindset, though. As a 36-year-old, I can understand and appreciate the job he was doing and how I thought back when I was 25 perhaps wasn't always right.
"Back then, I was firmly of the belief that Moyes was simply out to prove to the other players that he could get under my skin. We'd argue and I'd just think: 'What the f***?' 'Is he taking the p***?'.
“And while there are certain occasions where I can say I still feel I was in the right, on the whole I'd say he was. Ultimately, he wanted to get the best out of me as a player, he wanted to help me, I just couldn't see that at the time. But people change, and I can look back now a lot older and wiser, and I can understand why he did what he did with me."
After Everton, Drenthe went on to play for 12 different teams before retiring from football in 2023. He has since worked as a coach and media pundit in the Netherlands.
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