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Spurs star on silver screen

Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen turns his talent to the big screen as he makes film debut

Featuring as himself, Jan Vertonghen appears in a film that follows the lives of a hapless pub team

JAN VERTONGHEN is set to swap Spurs for the silver screen as he makes his debut as an actor in an independent Belgian film.

The Tottenham defender plays a role in Kampionen Forever, which is a spin-off from the long-running sitcom FC De Kampionen, which follows the trials and tribulations of a hapless pub team.

 Jan Vertonghen appears in a film titled 'Kampionen Forever' as himself
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Jan Vertonghen appears in a film titled 'Kampionen Forever' as himselfCredit: YouTube

 

The film will appear in Belgian cinemas on December 20.

Tottenham have no fixtures on the date of the premiere, so it remains to be seen as to whether Vertonghen will attend in between Tottenham's fixtures against Manchester City on December 16 and Burnley on December 23.

In  Vertonghen's fleeting appearance in the trailer, he plays himself during a meet and  greet with near namesake Marc Vertongen.

The character Marc, played by veteran actor Herman Verbruggen, is a naive and blundering goalkeeper-turned-striker known as Marcske.

FC De Kampionen (Champions FC) ran on Belgian TV between 1990 and 2011.
Before producers switched to full-length movies, with Kampionen Forever the third in the series.

 Jan Vertonghen appears in a film about a hapless football team, but plays for a more successful one in reality
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Jan Vertonghen appears in a film about a hapless football team, but plays for a more successful one in realityCredit: Rex Features

The sitcom originally detailed the lives of a hapless pub team, but Vertonghen himself has had more luck as a professional footballer.

The 30-year-old has played for Ajax,  Tottenham and the Belgian national team.

He is not the only footballer to try his hand at something different.
 Vinnie Jones turned his hand to acting after his football career
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Vinnie Jones turned his hand to acting after his football careerCredit: PA:Press Association
David Beckham is another football who has made a film cameo, whereas Vinnie Jones and Eric Cantona have had more prominent roles in films.
 David Beckham has made cameos in Guy Ritchie's films
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David Beckham has made cameos in Guy Ritchie's filmsCredit: David Beckham
 Eric Cantona is another footballer-turned actor, seen here in the film 'Mookie'
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Eric Cantona is another footballer-turned actor, seen here in the film 'Mookie'Credit: Reuters
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