Forgotten former Premier League star who won title under Man Utd manager arrested on suspicion of drug smuggling

Former Premier League star Ronnie Stam has been arrested on suspicion of drug smuggling and money laundering.

The Dutch defender spent three top-flight seasons with Wigan, making 73 appearances for the Latics.

He also played in the 2013 FA Cup winning run, although he did not play in the 1–0 final win against Manchester City.

Stam signed for Wigan in a £2m deal from FC Twente in 2010.

He later moved to Belgians Standard Liege in 2013 before ending his career at hometown club NAC Breda.

Dutch police seized the 39-year-old earlier this week as part of their investigation into large-scale drug crime.

Sources told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad that Stam’s parents and girlfriend were also taken into custody.

Police are understood to have launched their investigation following a series of phone taps in 2021 and 2022.

The former player’s brother was sentenced in March to four and a half years in prison for cocaine trafficking and money laundering.

He remains free on appeal.

Stam’s parents were charged with money laundering and cannabis cultivation in 2016 after police found €40,000 (£33,800) in cash hidden behind a washing machine at their home.

However, the couple were released after they and Stam claimed the money was part of the footballer’s earnings.

Stam won the Eredivisie title with Twente, managed by former England boss Steve McClaren, in 2010 to earn promotion to the Premier League.

But now he could face several years in prison if convicted.