Gudjohnsen admits battle with £400,000 casino habit

Eidur Gudjohnsen, the Chelsea striker, has admitted losing £400,000 in five months after becoming hooked on gambling in casinos.

The Icelandic player, who is reported to earn £20,000 a week, told a Sunday newspaper that he bet up to £2,000 on a single spin of the roulette wheel as well as playing blackjack. "I knew if I carried on I would end up losing everything," he stated.

Gudjohnsen, 24, said he had started gambling when he became bored and lonely after being sidelined by a training injury while his partner and two children were in Iceland. He won £100,000 in one session, but became hooked and suffered a series of losses.

"When I had that huge win I had a feeling of elation, which I can only compare to the rush of scoring a goal," Gudjohnsen said. "But it was a false feeling. I was looking for a quick fix, but it just made things worse. It got to the point where I was getting dragged deeper and deeper.

"I can easily see how young people can get sucked into gambling and I am happy to stand up as a warning to others not to get hooked."

Gudjohnsen's agent, Peter Harrison,added: "The club is aware of what happened and has been supportive."