Premier League footballer charged with assault

A Premier League footballer was today charged with wounding and assault after a fight outside a casino.

Kelvin Etuhu, 22, on the books of Manchester City, will appear in court next month.

The six-foot midfielder, who spent last season on loan at Cardiff City, is accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and wounding with intent, after an incident outside Manchester 235 Casino in the city centre on February 27.

Nigerian-born Etuhu, from Abbeycroft Close, Astley, Wigan, is jointly charged with another man, Rico Richards, 27, from Longsight, Manchester.

Etuhu spent last season on loan to Cardiff City, who narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League.

The player is a graduate of the Manchester City academy, making his first senior City appearance in September 2007 before being loaned out to Leicester City towards the end of that season. He has also been on loan at Rochdale.

His parent club's takeover by Arab billionaires meant new signings and more competition and he was sent on loan to Cardiff for the whole of last season.

Etuhu and his co-accused have been bailed to attend Manchester City Magistrates' Court on August 6.