Police investigate £55,000-a-week Premier League ace after smash at traffic lights that left cyclist in a critical condition 

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Premier League star Charlie Austin is being investigated by police after a crash that left a cyclist in a critical condition.

The Southampton striker, who is paid £55,000 a week, claims the rider rode into his path when he drove off from a junction after traffic lights turned green.

The cyclist was rushed to hospital after the collision in Southampton in October, prompting police to launch the probe - which could take several months.

Charlie Austin behind the wheel of his car in a photograph uploaded to Twitter in 2015

Austin, who plays for Premier League side Southampton, was involved in an accident

Austin, who joined the club for £4million last year and drives a Porsche, has not been arrested but provided a statement to police giving his version of events.

He has also regularly visited the cyclist in hospital and he is believed to have made a gradual recovery. 

Austin, his club's top scorer, described the accident as 'extremely regrettable' and said he is fully co-operating with the police.  

The 27-year-old striker uploaded a photograph of his new car to his Twitter account in 2016

In a statement, he said: 'In late October 2016, I was driving in the city centre of Southampton and had stopped at traffic lights at a junction.

'I moved forward when the lights turned green and it was at that point that a cyclist unexpectedly came across my path and a collision occurred.

'Following a police investigation of the accident, I provided a statement to the Hampshire Constabulary in early 2017 to give them my version of events.'

Hampshire Police declined to comment. 

Austin cost Southampton £4million when they signed him from Queens Park Rangers