The England footballer Ledley King has apologised tonight after being arrested outside a London nightclub in the early hours of this morning and held on on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm.

The Tottenham Hotspur captain was questioned by police for several hours about the alleged incident, in which he is thought to have clashed with a doorman in Soho, Central London, before being released on bail.

It is understood that Mr King got into a row with Waheed Butt who said that he had stopped the footballer from re-entering the club.

Mr King subsequently issued the following statement on the club’s website: “I sincerely regret that a night out with friends went too far. I have apologised to Harry [Redknapp, the Spurs manager] and I fully appreciate that, as a professional footballer, I have a duty to behave in a responsible manner.

“I am assisting the police with their enquiries. Anyone who knows me, knows that much of what has been suggested is totally out of character.

“I am keen to resolve this as soon as possible and concentrate on my football. I shall be putting my all into ensuring I give of my best for the remaining fixtures.”

Mr Butt told Sky News: "We refused him to come inside, again because he was so drunk, and he just started calling us different names."

Mr King, 28, who joined Tottenham Hotspur in 1998, played in the club's Premier League game against Everton yesterday.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: “A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of ABH following an allegation of assault made by a man in his twenties.”

In a statement, Tottenham Hotspur FC said: "The club is aware of an incident involving Ledley King in the early hours of Sunday morning. We await details and information and it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time."

Officers on a routine patrol were flagged down by members of the public at around 2.30am on Sunday and a man was arrested, the spokeswoman said. Mr Butt is understood to have refused medical treatment after the alleged incident outside Punk nightclub in Soho Street.

Mr King was later released on police bail.

The venue, formerly known as Nightclub Pop, attracts a VIP crowd, with guests including Kate Moss and Lily Allen, and offers table bookings with a minimum spend of £500, according to its website.

Mr King has 19 England caps and was a member of England’s Euro 2004 squad.