The former England superstar declared himself bankrupt in May, despite having earned over £20 million in wages alone during a 25-year professional career.
Despite that career still going – he is currently goalkeeper and manager of Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters – James has now apparently become overwhelmed with debt, and is selling off a huge range of memorabilia from his career via the Hilco auction house in Kent.
Among the possessions being sold by the 44-year-old are 150 signed shirts, shorts and match balls.
That’s just the start, however: James is also selling off a customised Vauxhall Astra van, a selection of DJing gear and 1800 vinyl records, books, toys, exercise equipment, a chainsaw (!) and his collection of Raleigh Chopper bikes. You can see the full list on the auction website, which has details of all 244 lots.
As well as his lucrative footballing career with clubs including Liverpool, Manchester City and West Ham, James earned further millions from the endless off-pitch activities and endorsements that go hand-in-hand with being one of the nation’s most famous footballers.
The 6’4″ star – who earned 53 caps for England, four of which came at the last World Cup – modelled for Armani and H&M, has been a regular pundit for BT Sport, and writes a column for The Observer newspaper (ironically, he has always donated his fee for that column to charity).
But a costly divorce from wife Tanya in 2005 cost him £3m plus a share of future earnings, and the settlement appears to have undermined his finances and got him into debt.
He reportedly faces a year of living under bankruptcy stipulations, after which he will be automatically discharged.
