Bolton old boy Jardel lifts the lid on cocaine abuse in football

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The former Brazil international said depression and the decline of his marriage six years ago led him to the drug.

He also suggested his spell at the Reebok did not help the situation, coming in the middle of a run that saw him join eight clubs in five seasons, with little success at any.

Jardel, once one of the hottest properties in Europe after scoring 168 goals in 161 games for Porto, said: "I only consumed one drug, cocaine, but not while I was playing. I only took it during vacations.

"It all started with bad friendships. Then came my divorce, depression and drugs.

"This happens a lot in football, but I can't talk about it. I haven't taken it for two months."

In the interview with Brazilian TV show Esporte Espetacular, the 34-year-old said he hoped to learn from his mistakes and join a big club in Brazil.

Jardel signed for Bolton from Sporting Lisbon for £1.5million in August 2003, but left for Ancona the following January after scoring just three goals - all in the League Cup - in 12 appearances. He is currently a free agent.

Of the years he struggled to find form, he said: "When I went to some smaller teams, how could I score if there were no players that could put the ball at my feet? It all got worse and the problems snowballed."