Former Reading FC midfielder Danny Guthrie has been given six years of bankruptcy restrictions for breaching regulations.

35-year-old Guthrie played almost 70 times for the Royals between 2012 and 2015 after high-profile spells with Liverpool and Newcastle United.

In May 2019, while playing for Walsall, Guthrie borrowed £75,000 from a friend to help him pay his household expenses, promising to repay the loan with funds raised from selling a property.

However, before selling the property he racked up gambling debts of £120,000. When he eventually sold the property in August 2020, receiving just over £160,000, he chose to repay his gambling debts ahead of other creditors by making several cash withdrawals- despite knowing he was insolvent.

Guthrie accepted a six-year bankruptcy undertaking which will run until May 2028.

This means he is under a number of restrictions, including not being able to borrow more than £500 without disclosing his bankrupt status, and he cannot act as a company director without the court’s permission.

Official Receiver at the Insolvency Service, Kevin Read, said: "Danny Guthrie’s actions were deliberate in dissipating assets, at a time he was already insolvent, and to the loss of his creditors.

"This extension of bankruptcy restrictions should serve as a warning that the Insolvency Service will take action to tackle such financial wrongdoing."