The unnamed player, from a top-flight club, matched five numbers and the bonus ball in a main Lotto draw which took place at some point before Christmas, and collected his winners' cheque last week.

He used the non-publicity clause that the National Lottery offers to all winners, which means his identity has been kept secret from the public and press.

Dressing rooms across the country have been filled with gossip between players trying to work out who the lucky winner could be.

Despite being rich and handsomely paid, the win for a Premier League footballer really does prove that anyone who buys a ticket can win.