Ranger will appear before Newcastle Magistrates' Court on August 21 in relation to a complaint made to police on January 24 this year.

The incident happened in the early hours of Wednesday, January 23, at a hotel in Jesmond, a suburb of Newcastle.

A statement from Northumbria Police read: "Nile Ranger, 22, of Bailey Close, Haringey, London, has been charged with rape. He is due to appear before Newcastle Magistrates' Court on August 21."

Ranger left Newcastle by mutual consent in March this year having had spells on loan at Championship sides Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday in recent seasons.