England football star Zat Knight arrested in Birmingham heroin raid

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England footballer Zat Knight has been arrested in an armed drugs raid hours before he completed a £3.5 million transfer from Aston Villa to Fulham.

Heroin and cocaine were allegedly seized at his mother Sandra's house in Birmingham before Knight, 27, and brother Carlos, 26, were led out in handcuffs.

A second Birmingham address, thought to be owned by the defender, was also raided.

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Knight, pictured playing for Fulham, was led from his mother's house in handcuffs

Police swooped at 5.30am yesterday. Hours later Knight was introduced to Aston Villa fans as the club's new signing from Fulham.

A neighbour told The Sun that officers "were in there for about three hours. They came out carrying plastic bags, rucksacks and boxes".

Knight spent six hours in custody. A police spokesman said: "Two men aged 26 and 27 were arrested on suspicion of class-A drugs offences.

The 27-year-old was released on police bail. The 26-year-old continues to help with enquiries. A quantity of drugs was seized."

Knight, born in Solihull, joined Fulham in 1999. He has two senior and four under-21 England caps.

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Signed: Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill welcomes Zat Knight only hours after he was arrested

At the press conference to announce his transfer, Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill said: "Zat has got a lot of natural talent. I'm hoping that if he performs the way he can perform and has done in the past, we can expect him to be a big asset."

Knight was born in nearby Solihull and is a lifelong Villa fan. In 1999 he moved from his first club Rushall Olympic to Fulham for a 'fee' of 30 tracksuits.

Knight only signed a new three-year deal with Fulham in the summer but boss Lawrie Sanchez was prepared to let him move on.

 

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