Hippy crack footballer’s transfer breaks down after more clubs start testing aces for laughing gas

TOP football clubs have started testing players for nitrous oxide use, with a growing number addicted to the “laughing gas” drug.

Teams are noticing huge differences in the expected lung capacity of players and how they can actually perform.

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One footballer saw his transfer collapse after signs that his nervous system was ravaged by his use of laughing gas was found (stock image)[/caption]

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Top football clubs have started testing players for nitrous oxide use[/caption]

One player set to sign for a ­second-tier Championship club saw the deal collapse after doctors carrying out his medical discovered signs that his nervous system was ravaged by his use of the gas.

The revelations come days after The Sun revealed that a Premier League star was in rehab for addiction to nitrous oxide, also known as “hippy crack”.

His usage came to light when a car he was travelling in was stopped by police who found dozens of canisters.

His family alerted the club and a medical intervention was made.

Dozens of Premier League stars, including England internationals, are known to be regular users of the drug — with many wrongly believing that it is harmless.

But long-term use can reduce the body’s levels of Vitamin B12 — essential for nerve function.

It was criminalised last November in a government crackdown and is now a Class C drug, in the same category as cannabis.

One Prem player spent £10,000 on laughing gas canisters for a recent birthday party. And now clubs are testing for nitrous oxide abuse when carrying out medicals.

A source said: “One player was massively addicted. He was with a club and during a fitness test they said the nerves in his legs were f****d.

“He admitted he was doing loads of balloons and they got rid of him.

“His agent got him into another club for a trial and they were keen to sign him.

“But when they carried out his medical they basically said ‘You’re an addict’ and ended their interest. He’s now without a club.”

Other players have been questioned by medical teams after their legs twitched uncontrollably while they were being treated for other injuries.

Another source said: “It’s an absolutely massive problem, which clubs are only just starting to understand and get a grip on.

“Players think they can get away with it because it doesn’t show up in drug tests and until recently it wasn’t illegal, but some are addicts and it’s having a hugely negative effect on their health and their careers.”

In 2022 doctors warned they were seeing increased numbers of patients with neurological injuries caused by laughing gas including spinal cord and nerve damage.

Sport science professor and former FA performance head John Brewer warned of the impact that it could have on players.

He said of the drug: “If you’re a top-level footballer trying to make skilful movements and pass a ball effectively, you don’t want your nerves to be damaged in any way because you need that peripheral ability to sense movements.”