England football great Paul Gascoigne rushed to hospital, found collapsed at home

Paul Gascoigne, the former England midfielder, has been rushed to hospital after being found collapsed at his home.

Gascoigne, 58, was taken into intensive care at Poole Hospital after he was found semi-conscious by a friend at his home in Dorset on Friday afternoon (local time).

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United midfielder is believed to have been moved into an acute medical unit and reportedly stable and recovering.

Steve Foster, Gascoigne’s friend who found him, told The Sun: “He would like to thank everyone for the support he’s received so far from so many old friends who wish him well and want to see him back to his best.”

Gascoigne is expected to continue receiving treatment in hospital for several days.

Foster, who also works as his driver, added: “Paul is in hospital, which is the best possible place for him to be right now.”

Regarded as one of England’s most naturally gifted playmakers, Gascoigne came through the ranks at his hometown club Newcastle before moving to Tottenham, whom he helped win the FA Cup in 1991.

He moved to Italian side Lazio, where he spent four years, before moving to Rangers. He also had stints at Middlesbrough, Everton and Burnley.

Gascoigne was capped 57 times and scored 10 goals for the Three Lions between 1988 and 1998 and it was his displays in an England shirt that earned him nationwide popularity.

“Gazza” became a household name when he played a key role in England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals under Bobby Robson at Italia 90, famously bursting into tears after receiving a booking that would rule him out of the potential final.

He was also part of the team who reached the European Championship semi-finals on home soil in 1996 when he scored a memorable wonder goal against Scotland.