A British Olympian of Nigerian descent, Lawrence Okoye, has been arrested in the USA for allegedly soliciting prostitution.

27-year-old Okoye was arrested in Alabama alongside 12 other men, a police report said.

The former NFL star was arrested on Wednesday and was released from the Shelby County Jail Thursday after posting a $1,000 bond.

The statement said:

“On Wednesday, February 6, 2019, the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force (SCDETF), in partnership with the Hoover Police Department, conducted an undercover reverse prostitution sting, titled Operation Close Out, Round 3.

“The operation was carried out in North Shelby County.

“The operation is a continuation from September 20th, and October 18th, 2018, in which 20 total offenders were previously arrested.

“Thirteen men were arrested and charged with the crime of Soliciting Prostitution.”

Okoye, a former discus thrower, competed in the 2012 Olympics for Team GB before quitting athletics to pursue an American Football career.

He now plays for Birmingham Iron in the AAF — which stands for Alliance of American Football — league, where he has been aiming to get his career back on track after stints at the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys.

Croydon native Okoye was picked up by the Iron, who were yet to play their first ever match in the AAF at the time of his arrest.

Okoye missed their clash with Memphis Express.

Head coach Tim Lewis said:

“We are aware of it.

“We’re still in the process of gathering all the information.”

Okoye holds the British record in the discus of 68.24metres, a mark he set in 2012, just months before the London Games.

He finished fourth at the Games, just 6cm off a bronze medal, before quitting athletics just months later.