A former Tottenham defender, who hung up his boots from the game in the summer, has announced that he will soon appear on the big screen.
Toby Alderweireld played 236 times for Tottenham across six years, being an integral part of the side which challenged for the Premier League title and made the Champions League final.
The 36-year-old hung up his boots in the summer after three seasons back at his boyhood club, Royal Antwerp, and he has been keeping himself busy since his retirement.
Alderweireld was unmasked as the mystery Eagle Owl in Belgium’s version of The Masked Singer last week, and he has announced that he is also trying his hand at acting.
Tottenham legend Toby Alderweireld confirms acting role in action film
The defender has now announced that he will make his debut as a film actor in an action film, ‘Paradise’, which will be out in Belgian cinemas during the New Year, according to The Sun.
While it is only a small cameo, it is a role that the former Tottenham Hotspur man is very excited about.
The centre-back is quoted as saying: “I have a cameo role in the film Paradise. It is the role of my life. I don’t play myself – instead, I am a prison warder. When they asked me if I wanted to do it I thought, ‘why not?’
“But let’s put things into context. I only appear in the opening scenes. I do have lines to say, but it is just two sentences. I can’t say what they are. It is down to the filmmakers to reveal them. But I have seen the pictures, and can say it’s going to be a film that’s full of action. Lots of action.”
Alderweireld is excited to try different things post football
The 36-year-old is taking a route that few footballers have post-retirement, drifting towards an entertainment career rather than the typical punditry or coaching route.
After spending three decades obsessed with football, Alderweireld admitted that he is extremely keen to try new things.
He added: “Ever since I was five years old, I have been fully involved with football and nothing else. I’m happy that I now have the chance to do other things – and I find it hard to say no.”