Former Liverpool forward Ryan Babel has decided to put his Merseyside home up for sale, a property that comes with a unique history. The house, which Babel purchased for approximately £1.25 million, was once at risk due to mortgage complications. Although the issue was eventually sorted, Babel has now opted to move on, sharing his decision and the story behind it on social media.
Babel revealed that after leaving Liverpool, he rented the home to several tenants, including his former Netherlands teammate, Royston Drenthe. According to Babel, Drenthe neglected to pay his rent while at Everton and dramatically altered the property. “Let’s just say he gave ‘tenant from hell’ a new meaning… he somehow forgot to pay rent during his Everton days and even decided to build a nightclub inside my house without permission. You can’t make this stuff up!” Babel wrote.
The property, now valued at £900,000, features an array of amenities, including a nightclub space (currently listed as a dance room), a bar, a cinema room, a sauna, and a swimming pool. The house also boasts seven bedrooms and four bathrooms, making it one of the more distinctive homes in the area.
Reflecting on his time in the house, Babel described it as a place packed with memories. “This house holds so many memories…it was the first place I moved into after leaving my parents’ home, full of excitement, mistakes, and lessons,” he shared. Babel attributed the sale to his original mortgage agreement, explaining, “The only reason I’m selling now is because of that interest-only adjustable-rate mortgage I was talked into back when I knew absolutely nothing about real estate. Lesson learned the hard way!”
Despite the challenges, Babel expressed pride in having owned the property and wished the next owner well. “Whoever ends up with this house next…I hope it brings you just as much joy (and maybe fewer surprises) as it did me,” he concluded.
Babel enjoyed a four-year stint at Liverpool, making 146 appearances and contributing 22 goals and 18 assists. Drenthe, meanwhile, spent the 2011-12 season on loan at Everton, featuring in 27 matches. Their intertwined careers and the story of the infamous house add another chapter to their shared history.
