Cape Town - An England international soccer player has allegedly been blackmailed for £500 000 (around R8.4 million) after he was caught in bed with an escort, reports The Sun.

The footballer, who has a long-term partner, was apparently having sex with the escort when two men barged into his room and demanded money.

The shocked player, whose name has not been made public, then reportedly jumped out of his hotel window and later told police about the men's plan to extort money from him.

"He offered to leave a key card at reception for her to let herself in," a source told The Sun.

"But she knocked at his door, allowing the player to let her in, before stripping to have sex."

According to The Mirror, the footballer, who had been at the hotel for an away match with his club, left his personal belongings in the room as he climbed out of the window.

When he returned, his car keys, phone and other items were missing.

The soccer player, who was apparently dating this woman ‘casually’, came clean to his long-time girlfriend about the fling.

According to reports, a woman and man have been arrested in connection to the incident.

Local police have refused to give comment.

"He's obviously upset by the whole situation,” a friend of the soccer ace told The Daily Star. "He knows he made mistakes, but he's owned up to those.

"His family are very supportive and have stood by him. He's a good man despite all of this. Hopefully his relationship will survive it."