Royston Drenthe was once tipped for big things as an emerging star of the game But he retired at just 29 after a string of unsuccessful moves during his career

                                                                                                        He was viewed as Holland's next big thing after breaking through the youth system at Feyenoord 15 years ago and sealing a dream move to Real Madrid.

But Royston Drenthe struggled to fulfil his potential as he eventually called it a day at the age of 29 - turning his attentions to a music career - but now the former winger has entered the world of acting after appearing in a crime drama. 

The former Real Madrid star looks almost unrecognisable in the clip of his new TV show Mocro Maffia, which tells the story of three gang members living in Amsterdam, and shows his tough side as he interrogates two men.His character enters a room where the captives are being held, with his assailant providing them water while Drenthe attempts to get answers out of them.

After seemingly becoming frustrated with the pair during discussions, he and his fellow gang member leave the room - before one of them yells at him, causing him to burst back into the room with a gun.

He points the weapon at the man in question's head and threatens him before the clip ends.Drenthe, now 32, announced to his Instagram followers this week that he would be starring in the show and said he was 'super excited' to be involved and to show off 'this other side of Royston'. 

He wrote: 'New signing reported!!! The time has come... After a long silence, may I FINALLY announce that I can be seen in the MOCRO MAFIA series!

'I'm super excited about my participation in the series and can't wait to entertain the viewers with my role!

'I am more than excited to show you this other side of Royston but I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. So go check it out!' Drenthe emerged from the Feyenoord youth system as an exciting starlet in 2005, with many dubbing him 'the new Edgar Davids'. 

Linked with a long list of clubs, he eventually signed for Real Madrid in 2007, playing 65 times and scoring four goals, but never quite producing the quality that was hoped of him.

Los Blancos ended up shifting him out to Spanish outfit Hercules and later Everton, where he played 21 games and scored four times, and also turned out for Championship sides Reading and Sheffield Wednesday.

He decided to end his career in 2017 before even hitting his thirties, becoming a rapper and releasing hits under the name of 'Roya2faces', but briefly returned to football to play for Sparta Rotterdam and Dutch third-tier side Kozakken Boys.