5 footballers who went bankrupt

Modified Apr 08, 2017 13:58 GMT

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 11: David James former England goalkeeper talks during the Leaders In Sport conference at Stamford Bridge on October 11, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images) — James has risen above his bankruptcy and is now a panellist for BT Sports

#3 Brad Friedel

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Brad Friedel of Spurs looks on ahead of the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Hull City at White Hart Lane on May 16, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) — Despite being hit hard by the 2008 recession, Friedel now leads a stable life

American goalkeeper Brad Friedel was a part of several Premier League teams and was arguably one of the most famous American exports to England. Despite being on a paycheck of over £40,000 a week while at Aston Villa, the goalie was declared bankrupt after it was found that he had debts of over £5 million.

This happened back in 2011 in the United States where it was found that the player's non-profit football academy had bundled up debts which it was unable to pay. Friedel had opened this football academy in his home state of Ohio and had taken loans from RBS Citizens.

The financial institution took Friedel to court over the loan and the proceeding started from there. This is not all as the lender also decided to take over his house which had a value of over £260,000.

Friedel has since then retired and was last seen as an assistant coach for the US U-20 team.

Edited by Staff Editor