“Hope for a quick recovery”
Ex-Real professional suffers stroke
Oct 19, 2025 – 11:51 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Royston Drenthe needs medical attention. The 38-year-old is in hospital treatment after a stroke.
Dutch former professional Royston Drenthe has suffered a stroke and has been taken to hospital. The team FC De Rebels announced this on Sunday evening. Accordingly, the incident occurred on Friday. Drenthe is part of the company that organizes former players from the Netherlands and Belgium.
The statement continued: “He is being well cared for and is in the best hands.” At the same time, the family asked the public to be considerate during this phase. “The team and everyone involved hope for a speedy recovery. Royston’s family requests peace and privacy during this time so that they can give him the support and space necessary for his recovery.”
Drenthe, who ended his active career in 2023, received his football training in the youth ranks of Feyenoord Rotterdam. In 2007 he moved to Real Madrid for around 14 million euros. However, the winger was unable to establish himself there permanently.
During his career, the Dutchman played for Everton FC, Reading FC and Sparta Rotterdam, among others. His last club was with Kozakken Boys in the Dutch third division, where he officially ended his career two years ago.
Several of Drenthe’s former clubs have already reported on the online platform X: “Everyone at Everton wishes Royston Drenthe a quick and complete recovery,” wrote the Premier League club. Reading FC also sent “get well soon”. Feyenoord Rotterdam commented: “The news about Royston Drenthe shocked us. On behalf of all of Feyenoord: We are thinking of you and wish you strength and courage.”