Brazilian police have arrested a man after death threats were sent to former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Willian.
Willian, who is now back in his homeland playing for Corinthians, asked the authorities in Sao Paulo to investigate after receiving menacing online messages threatening him with bullets and knives.
He was warned that his wife and two young daughters would also be targeted.
Officers in the Barra Funda Strategic Special Operations division took the messages seriously and a 21-year-old man has now been detained.
Police commissioner Cesar Saad confirmed that charges will be brought against the suspect, despite the man’s explanation that he didn’t expect his threats to be taken seriously.
Willian and team-mates Cassio and Paulinho were subjected to online threats after Corinthians had lost a Copa Libertadores tie against Bolivian club Always Ready in April.
But when his abuser sent warnings about the midfielder’s daughters not being safe in school, he decided to go to the police.
Willan, 33, spent seven years in the Premier League after joining Chelsea in a £30million deal from Ukrainian club Anzi Makhachkala in 2013.
He lifted two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Europa League during his time with the Blues before moving to rivals Arsenal when his contract expired.
Willian was unable to make an impact at the Emirates and returned to his first club, Corinthian, after just a season.
