Southampton defender Dan Seaborne assaulted outside nightclub

Two men have been arrested after Southampton defender Dan Seaborne was seriously injured in an assault outside a nightclub.

Seaborne, 24, was found lying on the ground with serious head injuries.

He was attacked in the early hours of this morning outside Junk nightclub in Southampton.

Two men, aged 35 and 29, have been arrested in connection with the incident, a Hampshire police spokesman confirmed.

It appears the centre-half had been inside the city centre club in London Road with friends earlier in the evening and an argument took place.

The row then escalated outside and police were called to the scene at around 2.51am.

Seaborne was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Southampton General Hospital, where his condition is described as "serious but stable" today.

The spokesman said: "Investigating officers are now trying to establish the circumstances that led to the man sustaining his injuries and although they have identified a number of witnesses, they are appealing for others to come forward."

The nightclub and a neighbouring estate agency remained sealed off by police tape with a police community support officer standing guard at the scene.

The signed for Southampton in January last year from Exeter.

A Southampton FC spokesman said: "Southampton Football Club can confirm that Dan Seaborne has sustained a significant head injury and is in hospital under close observation.

"His condition is currently stable, not life threatening, and he is showing signs of improvement.

"The club will issue further updates on Dan's progress in due course."

Describing the incident, a Hampshire police spokesman said: "Police were called around 2.51am after Mr Seaborne was found collapsed on the pavement outside the Junk nightclub on London Road with head injuries.

"He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Southampton General Hospital where his condition is described as serious but stable.

"Investigating officers have established that Mr Seaborne was involved in a minor verbal altercation within the nightclub and was asked to leave.

"He subsequently left the club with a friend.

"A further altercation then took place outside the nightclub that resulted in Mr Seaborne sustaining his injuries and detectives, led by Detective Inspector Justin Norris, are talking to potential witnesses and viewing CCTV footage to try and establish exactly what caused these injuries.

"Although a number of witnesses have been identified and spoken to by police, officers are appealing for others to come forward, especially if they witnessed the second altercation outside the club."

PA