Former Premier League star Royston Drenthe suffers stroke

Former Everton and Real Madrid footballer Royston Drenthe has been taken to hospital after having a stroke, according to a Dutch and Belgian football group.

FC De Rebellen, a group including 38-year-old Drenthe, wrote on Instagram that the winger had suffered a stroke on Friday.

"He is receiving good care and is in good hands," the post said.

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The Reuters news agency has contacted his representatives with a request to comment.

"The team and everyone involved hope for a speedy recovery. Royston's family asks for peace and privacy during this period so they can offer him the necessary support and space for his recovery," the post added.

The Dutch player made his breakthrough at Feyenoord, a first division club in the Netherlands.

Drenthe, who retired in 2023, played for a number of English football clubs.

In 2011, he was loaned from Real Madrid to Everton, but dropped in 2012 for a "disciplinary matter", the club said at the time.

He went on to play for both Reading and Sheffield Wednesday.

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