Royston Drenthe

Youth

Born in Rotterdam, Drenthe, who is of Surinamese descent, joined local side Feyenoord's youth system at the age of 13, playing mainly as a winger during his junior years. After disciplinary issues during a trip to Switzerland with the B-side, coach Marcel Bout wanted him to leave the club, but the issues were resolved after the intervention of Rob Baan, the club's director of football. Bout hardly used Drenthe in his subsequent lineups, and, at the end of the season, the 16-year-old was named as one of eleven players whose future at the club was questionable. He eventually moved to Feyenoord feeder club Excelsior. Drenthe improved during the two years he played at Excelsior, with manager Marco van Lochem successfully playing him as left back. After impressing his former side's coaching staff, he was asked to rejoin the club, which he accepted.

Feyenoord

In the 2005–06 season, Drenthe was promoted to Feyenoord's first team, managed by his former youth coach Henk Fräser. After scoring three goals against Ajax in the Otten Cup youth tournament he began training with the main squad, while still appearing for the reserves. In the same week where he helped his club to a 5–1 win at Ajax with the second team, Drenthe was offered a professional contract at Feyenoord. Manager Erwin Koeman handed him his Eredivisie debut against Vitesse at the Gelredome, and the player finished the season with three matches. In 2006–07, Feyenoord signed veteran Belgian Philippe…

After his first full season at Feyenoord, Drenthe was called by Dutch under-21 coach Foppe de Haan to be part of his squad for the 2007 UEFA European Championship, which was held in the Netherlands. He was one of the most important players in the second consecutive title of the competition for the Jong Oranje, being chosen by UEFA as Player of the Tournament. The following year, he represented the nation at the 2008 Summer Olympics. On 14 November 2010, Drenthe was selected for the first time for the Dutch senior team, as coach Bert van Marwijk picked him as a late replacement for the injured Urby Emanuelson. Three days later, he made his debut, coming on as a second-half substitute in the 1–0 friendly win over Turkey.

Drenthe's younger brother, Giovanni, is also a footballer. The striker opted to represent Suriname internationally. His cousin, Georginio Wijnaldum, was another Feyenoord academy product. He is also the cousin of the Suriname international Tyrone Conraad. Drenthe dated Spanish Playboy model Malena Gracia. Drenthe recorded a rap song with his friend U-Niq called "Tak Takie". In 2014, Drenthe opened a clothing store in Rotterdam with Michel Poldervaart. In December 2020, Drenthe declared bankruptcy after losing £3.2 million. Drenthe has eight children from different relationships. In 2023 he started working in the healthcare sector, as he explained 'My entire family has always been in care'.

As TV commentator

Drenthe was contracted by the Spanish sports program El Chiringuito de Jugones as commentator, on 1 March 2021.

In October 2025, Drenthe suffered a stroke and was hospitalised. His representatives confirmed he was receiving medical care, and former club Everton publicly wished him a speedy return to health. In late 2025, his manager reported that he is undergoing rehabilitation and expressed confidence in a successful recovery.