Ched Evans has been found not guilty of raping a 19-year-old woman in 2011. Geraint Hughes reports Ched Evans has been found not guilty of raping a 19-year-old woman in 2011. Geraint Hughes reports

Footballer Ched Evans has been found not guilty of raping a young woman in 2011, following a retrial.

The jury took around three hours to reach their verdict in the retrial, which came after an original guilty verdict four years ago was quashed by the Court of Appeal.

The 27-year-old Chesterfield striker had always denied raping the 19-year-old waitress at a hotel near Rhyl in North Wales five years ago.

In a statement read outside court on his behalf by his solicitor Shaun Draycott, Mr Evans said he was "overwhelmed with relief" by the verdict.

His statement read: "In the early hours of 30th May 2011, an incident occurred in north Wales that was to change my life and the lives of others forever.

Evans released a statement after he was found not guilty. It was read by his solicitor Shaun Draycott Evans released a statement after he was found not guilty. It was read by his solicitor Shaun Draycott

"I would like to thank my legal team, Judy Khan QC and David Emanuel of Garden Court Chambers, London, and Shaun Draycott of Draycott Browne Solicitors, Manchester, for their tireless efforts upon my behalf.

"Thanks go, too, to my friends and family; most notably my fiancee Natasha who chose, perhaps incredibly, to support me in my darkest hour.

"Whilst my innocence has now been established, I wish to make it clear that I wholeheartedly apologise to anyone who might have been affected by the events of the night in question."

Mr Evans stood with fiancee Miss Massey and supporters as the statement was read.

Paul Kelso gives background on the Evans case Paul Kelso gives background on the Evans case

Sky News sports correspondent Paul Kelso was in court when Mr Evans heard the verdict and described his reaction as "emotional".

He added: "As he was released from the dock, he was already in tears and he embraced his girlfriend.

"The two of them embraced and sobbed."

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor hopes Evans can have a fresh start after he was found not guilty PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor hopes Evans can have a fresh start after he was found not guilty

Chris Turner, chief executive of Sky Bet League One club Chesterfield, for whom Evans plays, welcomed the news, saying: "We are naturally delighted with the outcome, especially for Ched, his family and friends. We can now all move forward and focus on football."

Click here for Sky News' coverage of the story from Cardiff Crown Court.