Former Liverpool footballer Ryan Babel faces losing his £1.25 million Liverpool home after the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) closed his bank accounts, leaving him unable to make mortgage payments.
The 38-year-old Dutch winger revealed his predicament on social media platform X, explaining that his mortgage issues began after RBS shut down his accounts because he no longer lives in the United Kingdom.
Babel, who made 146 appearances for Liverpool between 2007 and 2011, has owned the property since first joining the Merseyside club.
Babel purchased the property in 2007 when he signed for Liverpool from Ajax, securing a 90% mortgage from RBS.
Ryan Babel's property he bought in 2007 is facing being repossessed
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"I bought this beautiful old house in Liverpool back in 2007 when I moved to the city. Purchase price roughly £1.25M," Babel wrote on X.
The former footballer explained his initial mortgage arrangements were highly favourable.
"Interest rates were so favourable that my monthly payments towards my loan were only £1,050," he said.
For nearly 16 years, Babel maintained perfect payment records, stating: "No headaches - never missed a payment."
The problems began when RBS changed its policies regarding account holders living outside the UK.
The bank sent physical letters to Babel's Liverpool address, warning him to clear his funds before account closure.
"Since I didnt live in Liverpool anymore, I did not receive those letters," Babel explained. "Which resulted in my bank accounts being closed with a large sum of funds in them."
Babel only discovered the account closures four months later while living in Istanbul in January 2024.
He eventually visited a local RBS branch in April 2024 and had to file a fund release form to access his money.
When attempting to resolve his mortgage situation, Babel encountered further complications at the RBS branch.
Ryan Babel has not lived in England for years
PA
"Once completed in their office, I asked: 'Guys I also had a mortgage running through my accounts - whats happening with that?'" he said.
Branch staff directed him to handle the mortgage issue online, but this proved unsuccessful.
"I end up calling and they can't seem to find me in their system," Babel revealed.
The former Liverpool player now faces mounting arrears on his mortgage payments.
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"Meanwhile my arrears keep piling up I assume and it's possibly just a matter of time before the bank will take my home from me," he said.
Babel expressed uncertainty about resolving the situation with RBS.
"So now I am at this point not sure how to get hold of someone in the RBS who can assist with this issue so that I can cover my arrears and continue with the payments," he wrote.
It is understood that RBS is currently engaging with Mr Babel in an attempt to rectify the issue.
