Burnley striker Andre Gray has apologised after homophobic posts from his Twitter account were shared on social media.
One tweet from the 25-year-old, dating back to 2012, read: "Is it me or are there gays everywhere? #Burn #Die #Makesmesick".
Gray, who was at non-League Hinckley United at the time, stressed that he was now a "completely different person" to the one who posted the messages.
His apology in full read: "I would like to respond to media reports with regards to previous tweets posted from my Twitter account.
"Firstly, I want to offer a sincere and unreserved apology to anybody I may have offended in relation to these tweets. The tweets were posted four years ago when I was a completely different person to the man I am now. I was at a very different point in my life back then - one that I've worked hard to move on from.
"Thankfully a lot has changed in my life since then. I have experienced a lot over the past four years and have had to take responsibility for a number of things in my life which has enabled me to mature and grow as a person since that time.
"I have a lot of regrets regarding a number of things I've done in the past and realise I have made some big mistakes, none more so than these tweets, but I would like to stress that I've worked incredibly hard to completely transform my life since that time.
"To clarify, I do not hold the beliefs written in those tweets whatsoever. I can assure everybody that I am absolutely not homophobic and as said previously I can only apologise and ask for forgiveness to anyone I offended.
"Thankfully I am not the guy I was back then and will continue to work hard both on and off the pitch to become a better person."
The tweets, which have now been deleted, were highlighted on the day Gray scored his first top-flight goal, helping Burnley to a 2-0 win over Liverpool at Turf Moor.
Giuseppe Labellarte
