EXCLUSIVE

Darren Sharper has just been charged with 2 counts of rape in L.A. ... after the former New Orleans Saints superstar allegedly drugged multiple women and raped them in his hotel room ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Among the charges ... two counts of rape by use of drugs, four counts of furnishing a controlled substance and one count of possession of a controlled substance, all felonies.

Sharper -- who had a Hall of Fame-caliber NFL career as a safety -- is accused of drugging the women with zolpidem (Ambien).

Officials say Sharper met the two women in a West Hollywood nightclub on October 30th and invited them to another party.

On the way, officials say they stopped at Darren's hotel room and he gave them each a shot.

The women then passed out and hours later one of the women claims she woke up with Sharper sexually assaulting her. The second woman says she woke up and "interrupted his actions."

Officials say Sharper STRUCK AGAIN on January 14th ... when he returned to the same West Hollywood nightclub and found two more women.

Sharper allegedly pulled the same scheme -- inviting them back to hs room, gave them a shot, they passed out, he raped them.

Officials say both women left his hotel and sought medical treatment.

Sharper was arrested on January 17th. He was released on $200k bail. In addition to the rape, officials also say he was illegally in possession of morphine.

If convicted, Sharper faces more than 30 YEARS in prison. Officials are recommending the judge set his bail at $100 MILLION.

(Update: We're told the $100 million bail was a typo ... officials meant to request a $10 MILLION bail).

Officials say Sharper is also accused of raping women in 3 other states -- including Arizona, Nevada and Louisiana.