Ched Evans accepts nearly one million pounds of out-of-court settlement of rape lawsuits

Ched Evans has accepted an amicable settlement of the lawyers who have defended him against an allegation of rape sentencing him to a term of imprisonment of two and a half years.

Sportsmail understands that the Welsh international – who has had his conviction set aside before being overturned – sees the payment as a "fence".

Sources close to Evans said the 30-year-old, currently on loan from Sheffield United for Fleetwood Town, now had the feeling that he could focus fully on his football.

The striker, who climbed the ladder in Manchester City, was playing for Sheffield United and was earning around £ 20,000 when he was sentenced for a trial for raping a 19-year-old woman in a Premier Inn near Rhyl in May 2011.

In court, he was represented by Matthew Bennett and ex-winger Blackburn Rovers, Stuart Ripley, both of the Brabners law firm, and was later released by the Yorkshire club.

Evans was released after serving the sentence of five years in prison and pledged to fight to clear his name. In 2016, the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction and ordered a new trial. Private investigators gathered new evidence and a new defense team, led by Judy Khan, QC, was appointed.

A second trial in the Cardiff Crown Court culminated in a guilty verdict, with a jury of seven women and five men taking less than three hours to finish after an eight-day trial.

Evans was facing Brabners in the London High Court this month, but an amicable settlement was reached. Sources close to the player, who declined to comment, say that his main emotion is that of relief.

"There is no jubilation or celebration," they said. "Ched will never recover the two and a half years of his life that he has lost, but he now feels that he has finally put the finishing touches on his game and he can not wait to get down to work. to continue playing football. "

Following his release, Evans signed for Chesterfield after a move to Oldham failed public outrage. He then returned to Sheffield United for £ 500,000 in 2017 before joining Fleetwood on loan.

This season he has scored 16 goals for Joey Barton's League One team, including a 1-2 in a 2-2 draw with Southend United on Saturday.

A short statement from Evans' camp reads: "In late 2016, Ched sued his original defense team, Matthew Bennett, and Stuart Ripley of Brabners LLP for negligent defense. On Thursday, April 4, Ched agreed to an amicable settlement.

A spokesman for Brabners said: "We are pleased that Ched Evans has agreed not to pursue this matter, which we consider totally unfounded.

"Brabners put forward a strong defense of Mr. Evans' claim as a result of a thorough process and we were ready to vigorously defend our case management."