Ex-Man Utd and England star Wes Brown declared bankrupt after glittering Premier League career

FORMER Manchester United star Wes Brown has been declared bankrupt, according to reports.

The Mirror claim HMRC filed a bankruptcy petition against the ex-England defender in February, which was signed off at the High Court on April 12.

Brown reportedly earned up to £50,000 a week during his spell at Old Trafford.

The versatile defender spent 15 years at United after progressing through the youth ranks.

He later had spells at Sunderland and Blackburn before retiring at Kerala Blasters.

Brown, 43, won 23 England caps between 1999-2010.

Last year Brown split from his wife Leanne of Real Housewives of Cheshire fame.

The pair had been married for 20 years and now share custody of their three children.

Brown once had a property in Prestbury, Cheshire up for sale priced at £4.5million.

Leanne spoke about their financial situation a few years ago, saying: "Yes we've got a lovely life and all this money and I'm not saying the money isn't great but when you're in it you're living in this bubble. Although the fans can be amazing they can also be very cruel.

"It must be hard [for footballers] to deal with to be on top one minute and hated the next for a bad kick or missing the goal. We are the ones that are left to pick up the pieces and bear the brunt of whatever is left at the end of their careers."

Brown is set to take part in a charity football match next month to raise money for the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing.

A legends team containing Brown and his former team-mate Nicky Butt, as well as Trevor Sinclair, will take on a celebrity team including the likes of comedian Jason Manford.