ROBINHO has been sentenced to nine years in prison after being found guilty of gang rape.

The former Manchester City ace is one of a group of six convicted of assaulting an Albanian girl in a Milan night club on January 22, 2013.

6 Robinho, who joined Manchester City in 2008, has been convicted of gang rape in Italy Credit: PA:Press Association

Robinho was playing for AC Milan at the time.

The Brazilian, 33, who is currently playing in his homeland with Atletico Mineiro, has vowed to challenge the ruling.

Under Italian law he won't be sentenced until the appeals process has been finalised - which could take years.

A statement posted on his Instagram from his legal team said: “Regarding the news involving the striker Robinho, in an incident that occurred several years ago, we wish to clarify that he already declared his innocence and maintained he had no involvement whatsoever."

6 Brazilian football star Robinho married Vivian Guglielmetti Junits in 2009 Credit: Reuters

6 Manchester City broke the British transfer record to sign Robinho in 2008 Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

It added: “All legal steps are now being taken with regards to this decision by a court of first instance.”

If he loses the appeal he would could be extradited to serve prison time in Italy.

Robinho moved to Europe amid much hype in 2005 when he joined Real Madrid from Santos.

He broke the British transfer record in 2008 when Man City lured him from Real Madrid for £32.5million.

After a bright start to life in England, he soon started to struggle and was eventually sent out on loan to former club Santos after just 16 months.

6 Robinho has been sentenced to nine years in prison for gang rape while playing for AC Milan in Italy Credit: PA:Empics Sport

6 Robinho with wife Vivian at their wedding in 2009 Credit: Reuters

6 Brazilian star Robinho, who was once Britain's most expensive player, with wife Vivian in Wilmslow, Cheshire Credit: Cavendish Press

At the end of the season, he moved to AC Milan where he was joined by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and later Antonio Cassano en route to winning Serie A.

He would spend five years in Italy before moving to China with Guangzhou Evergande and then onto Atletico Mineiro in 2016.

Robinho had previously been accused of sexual assault while at City in 2009, but was later cleared.

Robinho misses open goal

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