Ched Evans has accepted an out-of-court settlement ‘close to £800,000’ from the lawyers who defended him against a rape allegation which saw him jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Sportsmail understands that the Wales international – who subsequently saw his conviction quashed before being cleared altogether – sees the pay-out as ‘closure’.

Sources close to Evans have said that the 30-year-old, currently playing on loan for Fleetwood Town from Sheffield United, now feels like he can fully concentrate on his football.

Ched Evans has accepted an out-of-court settlement ‘close to £800,000’ from lawyers

The striker, who came through the ranks at Manchester City, was playing for Sheffield United and earning around £20,000 when he was originally convicted following a trial of raping a 19-year-old woman at a Premier Inn near Rhyl in May 2011.

In court he was represented by Matthew Bennett and former Blackburn Rovers winger Stuart Ripley, both of law firm Brabners, and was subsequently released by the Yorkshire club.

Evans was freed after serving half of a five-year sentence and vowed to fight to clear his name. In 2016, the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction and ordered a retrial. Private investigators gathered new evidence and a new defence team, led by Judy Khan QC, was appointed.

A second trial at Cardiff Crown Court resulted in a not guilty verdict, with a jury of seven women and five men taking less than three hours to come to a conclusion after an eight-day trial.

Evans was represented by Matthew Bennett and former Blackburn Rovers winger Stuart Ripley

Evans was due to face Brabners in the High Court in London this month, but an out of court settlement was reached. Sources close the player, who declined to comment, say his main emotion is one of relief.

‘There is no jubilation or celebration,’ they said. ‘Ched will never get the two-and-a-half years of his life back that he lost. However, he now feels like he finally has closure on the matter and he is looking forward to getting his head down and carrying on with his football.’

Following his release Evans signed for Chesterfield after a move to Oldham fell through amid outrage from sections of the public. He subsequently moved back to Sheffield United for £500,000 in 2017 before joining Fleetwood on loan.

Evans has resumed his football career and now plays for Fleetwood Town in League One

This season he has scored 16 goals for Joey Barton’s League One side, including a brace in a 2-2 draw with Southend United on Saturday.

A short statement from Evans’s camp read: ‘In late 2016 Ched began litigation against his original defence team of Matthew Bennett and Stuart Ripley of Brabners LLP for negligent defence. On Thursday 4 April Ched accepted an out of court settlement.

A spokesperson for Brabners said: 'We are glad that Ched Evans has agreed not to pursue this case, which we believe was entirely without merit.

'Brabners put forward a strong defence of Mr Evans claim following a thorough process and we were prepared to vigorously defend our handling of the case.'