FORMER Serie A star turned armed robber and actor Bruce Dombolo has died in his sleep – aged just 39.
The Marseille-born midfielder played for Ancona in Italy’s top flight.
Auxerre academy product Dombolo went on to appear for Italian side Pro Vasto and French club Marignane before falling into crime.
He landed a two-year prison term aged just 20, then was jailed for a further eight years for his part in a 2010 jewellery heist.
But Dombolo turned his life around, appearing in a series of French TV shows and becoming a Connect 4 champion.
He said in 2023: “Some people fall into robbery of their own accord, and sadly I was one such person.
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“I didn’t think, but instead went to see some friends who were doing stupid things and asked them to include me.
“That was how I joined a gang of armed robbers.”
Dombolo was released in 2020. He told French TV: “I was a lad from Vitrolles in Marseille, promised a career as a professional footballer, but I took a wrong turn.
“I fell from the academy into the prison, from the stadiums of Serie A into robberies.
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“But in jail I turned my weaknesses into strengths. I have since become an actor and producer, and got involved in violence prevention.
“My journey proves that anyone can turn their life around, no matter where they are from.”
Tragically Dombolo’s agent told Le Parisien at the weekend that he had passed away in his sleep.
Online tributes have since flowed in for the Congolese-origin former footballer, speaking of his “heart of gold,” “talent” and “amazing kindness.”
