• [Dailystar Icon]
• Sport
• Football
• Chelsea FC

World's richest footballer worth billions lived in digs in UK and avoided flashy clothes

Faiq Bolkiah will be unfamiliar to most fans but the former Chelsea and Arsenal youngster has an incredible backstory as a member of one of the richest families in the world

[Faiq Bolkiah in action for Leicester City against Club Brugge in the Youth Champions League in 2016]

Faiq Bolkiah in action for Leicester City against Club Brugge in the Youth Champions League in 2016(Image: Getty Images)

A player dubbed the worlds richest footballer lived in modest digs and wore casual clothes during his time in English footballer.

The name Faiq Bolkiah will be unfamiliar to most fans but the former Chelsea and Arsenal youngster has an incredible backstory. Bolkiah, now 25 and playing in the Thai league, is a nephew of the Sultan of Brunei and is one of several heirs to a 200billion fortune.

Born in Los Angeles, Bolkiah moved to the UK and grew up in leafy Berkshire, quickly falling in love with football. After spells at Southampton, Reading and Arsenal, he moved to Chelsea, playing alongside the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham in the Blues youth ranks.

READ MORE: Ex-Chelsea star and football legend investigated by police over match-fixing allegations

READ MORE: Club owned by Everton-linked 777 Partners hit with FIFA transfer ban for late payments

One of his team-mates at Chelsea was Ruben Sammut, who described Bolkiah as one of the boys who never boasted about his background. He told The Athletic: You would never ever have thought he was something like the 12th in line to the throne. You would not have thought of him as royalty.

He was a humble guy, trying every day like every academy player. We used to joke he didnt need to play football but he wanted to play because he loved football.

Do you recall Faiq Bolkiah's time in English football? Tell us in the comments section below

[Faiq Bolkiah was a popular player during his decade in English football]

Faiq Bolkiah was a popular player during his decade in English football(Image: @fjefrib/Instagram)

[Faiq Bolkiah pictured top right ahead of a Leicester City match in the Youth Champions League in 2016]

Faiq Bolkiah pictured top right ahead of a Leicester City match in the Youth Champions League in 2016(Image: Getty Images)

It wasnt a regular thing we mentioned. It was that typical banter, saying he is royalty, saying, Whats he doing playing with us? But we all knew deep down how much he wanted to play, so it was more good-willed passing comments.

We dont know the ins and outs of the wealth of his family but he took football seriously, so full credit to him. He lived in digs like everyone else. I cant remember who with.

[Faiq Bolkiah was a popular and understated player, according to his former team-mates]

Faiq Bolkiah is an heir to a 200billion fortune(Image: @fjefrib/Instagram)

[Faiq Bolkiah warms up during Leicester City's Premier League International Cup match against Feyenoord in 2019]

Faiq Bolkiah warms up during Leicester City's Premier League International Cup match against Feyenoord in 2019(Image: Getty Images)

He just came in with the boy he was in digs with. This would have been age around 16-18, youth team group. We lived in digs, walking distance to the training ground. He didnt do the schooling.

It was youth team full-time training and stayed with a host family. He was just humble, he never wore flash clothes or came in flash gear, he just wore a tracksuit, just a down-to-earth guy. I think he did it so he didnt draw attention to himself. He knew if he was splashing the cash, it would create a bad image for himself.

Following the expiry of his Chelsea contract, Bolkiah reportedly had a trial at Stoke before moving to Leicester City in 2016, just as the Foxes were winning the Premier League. Bolkiah played in Leicesters U18 and U23 sides but failed to break through into the first-team.

After four years with the Foxes, he moved on to Maritimo in Portugal before switching closer to his royalty in Thailand, playing for Chonburi and then current club Ratchaburi.

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.