Ex-Chelsea striker not afraid to move into 'Tutankhamun cursed' Italian mansion

A former Premier League footballer is not afraid of ghosts or curses, as he is looking forward to move into an 18.5 million pounds Italian mansion, despite locals warning him that it is haunted by the curse of the Tutankhamun.

Former Chelsea and Everton striker Samuel Eto'o is said to be looking to snap up the spooky coastal villa despite its chilling history.

Eto'o, who moved to Italian side Sampdoria last month, is reportedly understood to be willing to dish out 2.2 million pounds for renovating the historic property in Portofino, near Genoa in northern Italy.

However, Villa Altachiara, which was the former home of Lord Carnarvon is believed to be jinxed with the 'Curse of the Pharoah', the Daily Express reported.

Lord Carnarvon was working with English archaeologist Howard Carter when the two men made the extraordinary discovery of the tomb of Ancient Egyptian ruler Tutankhamun in the north African country, opening the 'cursed' inner chamber on February 16, 1923.

It is reportedly believed by many that those who opened the tomb of 'The Boy King', the richest burial site ever found, were subsequently cursed. Of the 58 people present when Tutankhamun's long-lost tomb was opened, eight died within a dozen years.

In 2001, former Gucci model and heiress Countess Francesca Agusta reportedly vanished from the cliff-top property and three weeks later, her body washed up near the French town of Saint-Tropez.

However, Eto'o does not appear to gave been put off by the villa's tragic history and is said to be smitten with the 1,100 square-metre house.

One anonymous estate agent revealed that Eto'o knows the history, insisting that everyone around there knows the history, adding that some say the spirit of Countess Francesca Vacca Agusta still walks the estate looking for her husband and one can her shouting for him on the wind.

But, he added that Eto'o still loves the house and sees a chance to make a palace of his own there.