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Former Sunderland midfielder Dickson Etuhu has been charged with bribery after an 18-month investigation in Sweden.

The 36-year-old, who denies the claim, has reportedly also been charged with a minor drugs offence.

Etuhu ended his career in Sweden after 14 years playing in England for Manchester City, Preston North End, Norwich City, Fulham, Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland . He now works as an agent.

The Nigerian international made 21 appearances in all competitions for the Black Cats in 2007-08, scoring once, against Wigan Athletic.

(Image: Getty Images)

Etuhu has been accused of offering a bribe to his former AIK Stockholm team-mate Kenny Stamatopoulos to fix a match against Gothenburg last year. The match was cancelled when Swedish authorities became aware of the allegations.

Last year Swedish FA’s secretary general Hakan Sjostrand claimed a “very large amount of money” had been offered, alongside “veiled threats”.

Etuhu’s lawyer Johan Akermark told Swedish TV station Fotbollskanalen: “He has not offered any bribe and he does not know anything about any bribe. He had a snack with the AIK goalkeeper, they knew each other and used to meet for lunch. He has an explanation of what happened and we will present it during the trial.”

Former striker Alban Jusufi, who retired in 2013, has also been charged with bribery.

The Times also report that Etuhu was charged with a minor drugs offence after cocaine was found during a search of his property.