Sol Campbell has called in players' union chief Gordon Taylor after allegedly being threatened with a five-year gagging order by former club Notts County.

The League Two club are refusing to release Campbell's registration so he can sign for another club until an agreement is reached on a 'statement of departure'.

The former Tottenham, Arsenal and Portsmouth defender joined big-spending County in August amid a blaze of publicity, but left the club less than a month into a five-year deal.

The 35-year-old former England international is refusing to sign the gagging order as he wants to reveal the truth about his short spell at Meadow Lane and has turned to PFA chief executive Taylor to resolve the situation.

"You often hear the phrase 'nothing surprises me in football'. Well, this has surprised me," said Taylor in the Daily Mail.

"This is different to say the least. It is also very difficult.

"Notts County are holding onto Sol's registration and refusing to release it until he agrees to a five-year gagging order.

"Clearly, Sol needs to express the real reasons behind his departure, and will not agree to such a gagging order.

"Instead, we are trying to agree a form of words, a statement that both sides are prepared to accept, that will enable Notts County to release Sol from his contract, release his registration and let him make his appeal to the Premier League to find another club before or during the January transfer window."

Taylor added: "Notts County are not seeking a transfer fee - they wish to ensure that there is no damage inflicted on the club should Sol go public with his reasons for leaving.

"But our view is that a gagging order is an infringement of Sol's - or anyone's - right to freedom of speech, and our point is that if Sol said anything detrimental or defamatory then they can take action accordingly."

Campbell has been training with former club Arsenal but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed he will not be making a move for his former captain. Championship side West Brom have also been linked with the centre-half.