Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne has been admitted to a treatment centre in the United States. The 45-year-old voluntarily entered an unnamed facility, his management company confirmed.
Gascoigne, who played for Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Lazio, has struggled with alcoholism since retiring from football. A recent charity appearance, where he broke down sobbing on stage, raised widespread concern about his health.
In a statement, GamePlan Solutions said Gascoigne is an alcoholic with “complex issues” being addressed by professionals. The statement added: “Paul has been extremely touched and overwhelmed by the generous offers of help and support over the past few days. He is motivated to fully understand and control his addiction problem under guidance.”
Gascoigne’s drinking problems began during his playing career. He was admitted to the Priory Hospital in 1998 after his divorce from Sheryl Gascoigne. In 2001, while at Everton, he entered an alcohol rehabilitation clinic in Arizona at the insistence of manager Walter Smith. In 2008, four years after retiring, he was arrested in Newcastle and detained under the Mental Health Act, later being sectioned in Hemel Hempstead. More recently, he has received treatment at the Priory and the Providence Projects centre in Bournemouth.
