Ex-Premier League footballer Royston Drenthe is the surprise candidate for the next James Bond. Last year, the Dutchman retired from football at 35 and English fans will remember him for his stint with Everton over a decade ago. The competition to replace Daniel Craig as 007 intensifies. Now, Drenthe, 36, shifts his focus to the world of acting. In 2021, he starred as a gangster in the Dutch drama “Mocro Maffia”. Surprisingly, GB News revealed on 1st August he’s a 500/1 bet to be Bond.
Since Daniel Craig’s James Bond exit, speculation on his successor runs rampant. Damson Idris is currently the favourite to bag the 007 role. Additionally, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Rege-Jean Page are strong contenders. Drenthe opened up about his acting desires to Ladbrokes Fanzone. Dismissing rumours of a serious rap career, he always aspired to act. As he said, “Aside from football, acting was another dream of mine.”
Taking risks, Drenthe auditioned for ‘Mocro Maffia’ despite no acting experience. Regarding the James Bond role, he cheekily commented he’d need to polish his English. Drenthe’s football journey is notable. He played for giants Real Madrid from 2007-2012. While his time in Madrid was significant, he also shone at Everton. Here, he played 27 games, impressing with goals and assists. His career also took him to Reading and Sheffield Wednesday.
Beyond the pitch, Drenthe’s lifestyle was exuberant. However, post-retirement, he became a health worker, influenced by his family’s background in healthcare. Born in 1987, Drenthe started at Feyenoord, shifting to Real Madrid in 2007. His diverse career saw him at clubs in Russia and the UAE. He briefly retired in 2016 but made a comeback with Sparta Rotterdam in 2018.
Internationally, Drenthe represented the Netherlands under-21s, even winning the 2007 European Championship. His journey began in Rotterdam, joining Feyenoord’s youth at 13. After a challenging period, he became a key player for the first team. Later, a €14 million move took him to Real Madrid. Here, his career had highs and lows, eventually leading to a loan to Everton in the Premier League. Post-Everton, his journey included stops in Russia and the UAE.
Drenthe’s life is an intricate tapestry of football, dreams, and unexpected turns. As the James Bond speculation continues, we doubt at 500/1 he will end up as the 007.