A former Hull City midfielder is set to make millions as a property developer.

Life after football can be a struggle for some but Kevin Stewart is determined to not let that happen to him.

The 27-year-old has already enjoyed a decent career by fulfilling his boyhood dream of playing for Liverpool and taking to the same pitch as Lionel Messi when the Argentine was at the peak of his career.

Now, the midfielder has been working flat out in his time away from football by learning the art of property developing.

His first project, a 48-flat student accommodation block in Birmingham, is fast turning into a gold mine as recent estimates value the building generating a £1.8m profit on completion.

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Stewart, who left City at the end of last season before joining League One rivals Blackpool, is looking to turn this into a long-term project that would bring in a healthy monthly income.

Financial struggles can be a burden for most footballers when they hang up their boots but Stewart has made it his mission to prepare for life after the game.

“The stats are scary,” he said. “As a pro player, it’s massively important to prepare for life after football.

“There are many way to make money, but I think property is the best vehicle for building wealth.

Stewart's first project, a 48-flat student accommodation in Birmingham, could generate a profit of £1.8m once completed
Stewart's first project, a 48-flat student accommodation in Birmingham, could generate a profit of £1.8m once completed

“Some of the returns you can get are huge, and it pays out every month. There are many different strategies you can learn.”

Once described as Liverpool’s best tackler by Jurgen Klopp, Stewart joined the Tigers from Anfield for a £4m fee in 2017.

He made 71 league appearances for City, scoring three goals, but after relegation to League One last season he was released and left searching for a new club.

It would take until January for Stewart to find his new home on the west coast, joining Blackpool who could join City in the Championship next season when they square off with Lincoln City in the League One play-off final on Sunday.

Stewart’s interest in property development ignited just over a year ago, at a time he was recovering from surgery on his foot.

After watching hours of informative online videos posted by self-made millionaire and founder of Property Investors Samuel Leeds, Stewart hobbled to a property investors crash course the day after his operation.

“I never thought I’d be able to do a course like that because I’m always playing football,” he said. Then an injury came about, and I found a positive in it. The course kick started everything for me.

Stewart started took an interest in property development over a year ago
Stewart started took an interest in property development over a year ago

“I sat in the front row, and I really started to find my feet and understand how the property world works, and the opportunities collaborate.

“I would say being there that day was my best moment in property – in football, it has to be playing for Liverpool against Barcelona at Wembley. Messi was playing for them, and we won 4-0.”

Stewart later became a fully-fledged member of Leeds’ training academy and came across his future business partner on the entrepreneur’s YouTube channel. His father and cousin also caught the property bug and joined the academy with him.

Despite having no idea where to start, Stewart rapidly gained the skills and confidence to invest in a major city centre development.

Hull City midfielder Kevin Stewart
Kevin Stewart left the Tigers after the club was relegated to League One

He said: “I learned that one big deal can also take up a lot less energy than having loads of buy-to-lets scattered around.

“Samuel helped me to calculate the risk elements and I knew it was going to work out well. I’m quite fearless when I set my mind on something.”

Several footballers have also turned to Stewart for advice on property investing.

“The best tip I can give them is to drop being fearful of meeting new people and reaching out to them,” he said.

“The football world can be very secretive, and players often stay in their own lane and only mix with footballers. The biggest I’ve learned is to put myself out there and network to build relationships.

“I think sometimes the fear of looking stupid or being judged is what stops a lot of players immersing themselves in something different.

“Football is a very short career, but for me property is something I will do forever after I’ve finished playing.”

Stewart’s business partner Samuel Leeds believes the former Tigers midfielder is destined for great things as an entrepreneur, saying: “I believe Kevin will go on to make more money as a developer than he even did playing for Liverpool.”