Back to the Aston Villa Newsfeed

Premier League stars who went broke from property disasters to gambling away millions - and one player who spent £2m on a mansion and then forgot he bought it

Related Topics: Premier League

Premier League footballers are renowned for their high wages and extravagant lifestyles, but what happens when the dream turns into a nightmare.

With telephone number wages, earning in a month what most people won't see in a lifetime, it is surprising that some high-flying sports stars find themselves in financial difficulties.

In some cases, gambling sees their fortunes whittled away on a wet afternoon in Redcar, while other make incredibly poor investment choices. Being one of the best footballers in the country does not automatically make a player a shrewd businessman.

Others are blighted by 'hangers' on' and scam artists seeking to exploit their wealth and lack of financial knowledge.