FORMER Ipswich Town footballer Titus Bramble “strenuously denies any wrongdoing” after being arrested on suspicion of rape.

FORMER Ipswich Town footballer Titus Bramble “strenuously denies any wrongdoing” after being arrested on suspicion of rape.

The Sunderland defender and his brother Tesfaye were detained after the alleged rape of a young woman in a Newcastle hotel was reported to police in the early hours of yesterday.

Bramble, 29, a former England Under-21 international, was last night being questioned by detectives.

It is alleged the rape happened at the four-star Vermont Hotel in Newcastle city centre which has an entrance close to bars and nightclubs in Newcastle’s quayside area.

Last night, Niall Quinn, the Sunderland chairman, said in a statement that the club was determined to help Bramble clear his name.

Quinn said: “This has been a very difficult day for everyone at the football club, no one more so than Titus, who categorically refutes the allegations that have been made against him.

“He strenuously denies any wrongdoing and will be doing everything within his power to clear his name.

“I, as chairman, and the club as a whole, totally support Titus in his efforts and we all hope for a swift conclusion to this matter.”

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Police received a report of a rape of a woman at a city centre hotel in Newcastle in the early hours.

“Two men, aged 29 and 30, have been arrested on suspicion of rape.”

The second man arrested was Bramble’s brother, Tesfaye Bramble, police confirmed.

A spokesman for Bramble’s solicitor Mark Haslam refused to comment, as did hotel staff.

Born in Ipswich, Titus Bramble started his career at his home-town club.

After making his debut in the 1998/99 season, Bramble went on to make 48 league appearances for the club and also spent a brief period on loan at Colchester United.

He scored four goals for Ipswich, helping the team finish fifth in the Premiership in the 2000/01 season and played a part in town’s UEFA Cup campaign during the 2001/02 season.

Bramble joined Newcastle United for �6million in 2002 before moving to Wigan Athletic on a free transfer in July 2007.

In July this year he signed for Sunderland in a deal believed to be worth about �1m.

Tesfaye Bramble, 30, who has played international football for Montserrat, a British island in the Caribbean, previously played for Eastern Counties League Premier Division club Leiston.

He enjoyed spells at a number of football league clubs throughout his career including Cambridge United, Southend United and Stockport County.