Former Newcastle United star Jetro Willems has confessed to smuggling drugs as a child.
Willems has opened up on his early "sacrifices" in life on Dutch TV and insists his family had no choice but to take such a huge risk.
Willems was just nine when he smuggled drugs from Curacao to the Netherlands to start raising money for his family.
In an interview with former Everton player Andy van der Meijde, the Holland international - who could rejoin United on a free transfer next year - said he would never repeat his actions.
Willems said: "At first my parents tried to smuggle the stuff but things didn’t work out.
"Then I sacrificed myself and told them I would do it.
"I have always been a bit crazy.
"But when your family needs you, there is no other option."
Willems says he was not caught at the airport at either end after taping the drugs to his legs.
When asked if he received payment for such an assignment, Willems said: "I didn't want anything.
"Just ever get into that situation again.
"I said to my parents: 'Give everything you want my sister.
"I just want a ball. In the end, that ball saved my life."
Willems went on to star for PSV Eindhoven, Eintracht Frankfurt and Newcastle last season before suffering a long-term knee injury.
