FORMER NEWCASTLE United striker Nile Ranger has been charged with rape.
The 22-year-old will appear in Newcastle Magistrates' Court on August 21 in connection with an alleged incident at a hotel in the city in January.
Northumbria Police said: "A rape was reported to police on Thursday January 24, 2013, and relates to an incident which happened in the early hours of WednesdayJanuary 23 at a hotel in Jesmond."
Ranger, who is currently on bail, was also an England Under-19 player, and made more than 50 appearances for Newcastle following his debut in August 2009.
He played a part in the Magpies winning the Championship in the 2009-10 season.
The player has had loan spells at both Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley.http://http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/ex-newcastle-player-charged-rape