A former Liverpool FC footballer became a drug dealer working as part of a £6m cocaine gang after his career on the pitch ended.
Midfielder Layton Maxwell, 41, is now facing jail for his drug dealing crimes.
Maxwell had a promising start to his career, coming up the ranks alongside Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.
Scoring against Hull City in front of the Kop in a League Cup second round victory, the Wales Under-21s international thought he'd made it. However, it would prove to be his only appearance for the Reds.
As Liverpool won the treble in 2000/01, he was sent on loan to Stockport County for the final year of his contract as they finished bottom in the old Division One.
Maxwell was arrested last year in an investigation linked to a National Crime Agency probe known as Operation Venetic.
Raids were carried out after officers busted open the encrypted Encrochat messaging service that had been used by gang leaders.
Maxwell was one of dozens of suspects held - and appeared in Cardiff Crown Court to admit conspiracy to supply the ClassA drug cocaine.
Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thorne, said the raids in south Wales alone resulted in "two tonnes of drugs and millions of pounds in cash recovered."
He added: "Officers have seized 60kgs of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin with an estimated street value of £6,000,000. In addition more than £2.5 million in cash has also been seized.
"Illegal drugs have no place in our society and we will continue to work together to target those whose criminal activities blight the lives of the communities of southern Wales.
"We are committed to disrupting and dismantling organised crime groups, bringing people before the courts and removing drugs from our streets."
Maxwell, of Rhiwbina, Cardiff, wore a dark suit with a black shirt and red tie to the short hearing where he pleaded guilty to the charge.
He was bailed to return to court in July for a further hearing to appear with other defendants arrested in the same probe.
After leaving Swansea City Maxwell dropped through the divisions before seeing out his career in the League of Wales including spells at Bangor City and Caernarfon.
After retiring from football he became an engineer with Vodafone and also took charge of Cardiff Draconians in Welsh football's third tier but stepped down in December due to increased work commitments.
