Former Birmingham City forward and Scotland international James McFadden has been declared bankrupt, with reported debts surpassing £2.5 million.
Voluntary Sequestration Approved
The 42-year-old, who now works as a football pundit for Sky Sports, voluntarily applied for sequestration – the Scottish legal term for bankruptcy. The national Accountant in Bankruptcy agency approved his application on December 4, 2025.
According to reports, the significant debts are linked to substantial tax bills arising from losses on historic property and film investment schemes from the early 2000s.
Trustee Appointed to Manage Affairs
The bankruptcy has been listed for "full administration". Insolvency specialist Paul Dounis, a partner at Edinburgh-based Opus Restructuring and Insolvency, has been appointed as the trustee. His role is to recover funds to pay back creditors.
"We can confirm that James McFadden has voluntarily entered sequestration in Scotland," Mr Dounis stated. "This follows losses connected to historic property and film investment schemes from the early 2000s and associated tax matters. All appropriate legal processes are being followed."
From Pitch to Punditry
McFadden, who was capped 48 times for Scotland and also served as a national team coach, enjoyed a prominent playing career. He is best known to Midlands fans for his spell at Birmingham City between 2008 and 2011, where he scored 13 goals in 82 appearances.
He also played for Motherwell, Everton, and Sunderland. The sequestration order now formally lists his occupation as a commentator, reflecting his successful post-playing career in broadcasting.
The case highlights the financial challenges some professional athletes can face after their playing days end, particularly when investments turn sour.
