A Premier League footballer has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.

The Brighton and Hove Albion player, in his twenties, was arrested alongside a man in his forties in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The footballer was arrested outside of a nightclub on the south coast by police.

The player, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was led away by police officers from The Arch nightclub on Brighton seafront in handcuffs.

He has since been held at a local police station for questioning.

A spokesman for Sussex police said: “Two men have been arrested after a woman reported being sexually assaulted at a venue in Brighton, in the early hours of Wednesday.

"A man in his forties and a man in his twenties, both from Brighton, were arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and remain in police custody at this time.”

In a statement released this evening, the club said: “Brighton and Hove Albion are aware that one of its players is assisting police with the investigation of an alleged offence.

"The matter is subject to a legal process and the club is therefore unable to make further comment at this time.”

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