Bramble arrested over rape allegation

Bramble joined Sunderland over the summer for a fee of £1m (GETTY IMAGES)

Sunderland defender Titus Bramble was arrested on suspicion of rape today.

The 29-year-old was detained after the alleged rape of a young woman was reported to police in the early hours of this morning.

Bramble, a former England Under-21 player, was being quizzed by detectives investigating the alleged attack at a Newcastle city centre hotel.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Police received a report of a rape of a woman at a city centre hotel in Newcastle in the early hours.

"Two men, aged 29 and 30, have been arrested on suspicion of rape."

The former Ipswich and Newcastle defender was signed by Sunderland manager Steve Bruce from Wigan for a fee thought to be around £1million in the summer.

It is believed the alleged rape happened at the plush, four-star Vermont Hotel, which has an entrance close to bars and nightclubs on Newcastle's quayside.

A hotel spokesman refused to comment.

Sunderland have so far not commented.

The second man arrested was Bramble's brother, Tesfaye Bramble, police confirmed.

The 30-year-old striker, who has played international football for Montserrat, a British island in the Caribbean, plays for Eastern Counties League Premier Division club Leiston, in Suffolk.