Best died with debts of €655,000

DESPITE the many thousands he earned in his lifetime, legendary footballer George Best is understood to have died with debts of over €655,000.

The huge amount means that his family may be left with only memories following the death of the sporting superstar.

The private Cromwell Hospital in west London is owed £300,000 (€438,000) for treating the 59-year-old in his last days, while Best’s flat in London’s Chelsea still has a £100,000 (€146,000) mortgage. And ex-wife Alex is believed to be due £50,000 (€73,000) as a final instalment on their divorce, leaving a debt of £450,000 (€655,923).

A source said: “When all the debts are paid off, all George’s family are likely to inherit are memories.”

The star succumbed to multiple organ failure on November 25 at the Cromwell Hospital.

He had been admitted to hospital on October 1 suffering from flu-like symptoms, but deteriorated rapidly when he developed a kidney infection.

A spokesman for the Cromwell Hospital said of the bill: “It is an issue between the hospital and the patient, and the patient’s family in this case, and it is not something I can comment on.”