Southampton legend Claus Lundekvam confesses he planned to ‘drink himself to death’
Popular Norweigan midfielder remarkably reveals his plan to take a one-way plane to Brazil to end life - but missed flight due to drugs binge
FORMER Premier League star Claus Lundekvam has revealed how he booked a one-way plane ticket to Brazil after planning to "drink himself to death."
Ex-Southampton defender Lundekvam spiralled into booze and drug addiction after retiring in 2008.
The Norwegian ace, now 43, said: “My wife left me along with our two little girls and I was left alone in a big house so I told myself I was going to drink myself to death.
“That was my destiny.
“At least that is how it felt. I was so low, I just accepted it. I booked a one-way ticket to Rio and had no intentions of coming back. I thought that was it, my final journey.
“I knew that in Rio I would find the things I wanted, a free flow of cocaine and lots of gorgeous women.
“That would have been fine by me. It wouldn’t have taken long. Luckily, I never made it. I would not have returned.”
Lundekvam played more than 350 games for Southampton and is now a successful TV pundit in Norway having overcome his addictions.
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Speaking in the newly published book Saints and Sinners, Lundekvam said: “I was drinking myself to death – and I did not really care.
“I was so down and so depressed. I felt I could not cope without football. I missed the buzz and the adrenaline rush so I sought highs in other ways.
“I had had that rush of being competitive ever since I was a kid so when it was gone I made a few wrong choices and got addicted to alcohol and cocaine. It was very self-destructive.
“Being without that camaraderie is the hardest part about finishing as a player – and for me it turned out pretty badly.
“I turned to drink and drugs which was not good for me but eventually I got the help I needed. It is still something I deal with day to day.”
“It was hard for me to admit I needed help and to admit that I was struggling without football. I had always been strong and I was not used to showing my feelings or being able to cry.
“That was my life for 25 years. I had been captain of Southampton and of Norway; I was supposed to be strong.
“It was a very, very hard thing to accept especially when your judgement is clouded by alcohol and drugs. The only way is to acknowledge you need help and just hold your hands up.”