ABOUT 120 football aces are hooked on drugs or gambling, shock figures have revealed.

The stats come after former England star Dele Alli’s tear-jerking addiction confession last Thursday.

Today, Baroness Karren Brady — West Ham vice-chairman and Sun on Sunday columnist — warns: “Addiction has become the curse of the Premier League.”

At least 600 top footballers — from across all pro leagues — are also suffering anxiety, depression, stress and suicidal tendencies.

The troubled players received so-called well-being interventions from the Sporting Chance clinic which works alongside the Professional Footballers Association union.

But the latest PFA figures for 2021-22 are said to be just the tip of the iceberg — with many senior pros at rock bottom seeking help privately.

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About 120 current and retired players are known to be receiving treatment for drugs and gambling obsession via the PFA, the stats show.

Baroness Brady warns in her Sun on Sunday column: “I’ve been in football for more than 30 years and I can tell you addiction has become the curse of the Premier League.

“I’ve seen players with all sorts of addictions — gambling, drugs, alcohol, and sex.

“Almost all have one thing in common — an unstable upbringing.”

She was responding to Everton star Dele Alli’s confession last week about his sleeping pill addiction which led to him being treated in rehab.

PFA figures show 77 players checked into rehab during the 2021-22 season, with substance addiction one of the most common causes. In some cases family members were also treated.

The figures were a third higher than the previous season, when 59 players needed help.

The Premier League warned it was swamped with a rising number of stars getting hooked on sleeping pills.

Some have turned to prescription drugs such as Zopiclone and Zolpidem and are mixing them dangerously with booze to create a recreational high.

Use of nitrous oxide — known as hippy crack — is also on the rise among elite footballers.

The PFA is tackling the issue with Sporting Chance charity by ramping up residential care for footballers and sports stars.

The PFA said seven players received psychiatric assessments last year.

It is now providing mental health workshops for every club in the top four divisions.

Of 520 players who received counselling, nearly half were current footballers.

Medics carried out 1,000 player mental health assessments at 50 clubs across the top four divisions, including the Premier League.

Thirty-five stars were sent to residential rehab for a period of several weeks or more.

A source said there were growing numbers of players with addiction to prescription drugs, particularly painkillers and sleeping tablets.

One insider said: “There are genuine fears many addicted players keep their problems hidden — especially high-profile players in the Premier League.

“The true extent of the ­problem is thought to be much bigger than the PFA figures.”

Ex-Spurs ace Dele told how he was molested by a family friend aged six and started selling drugs.

He began boozing heavily and was addicted to sleeping pills, often popping them from 11am.

In an interview with ex-footballer Gary Neville, Dele told all about his trauma.

He said: “At six I was molested by mum’s friend . . . because my mum was an alcoholic.

“At seven I started smoking and then at eight I started selling drugs.” He said he did not blame her.

Dele’s mum, Denise, said in an exclusive statement to The Sun on Sunday: “I have not been able to stop crying since I heard my son describe the abuse he suffered as a child.

“I had no idea he’d been molested.

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“I’m so sorry. It breaks my heart to think that someone I allowed into my house might have betrayed my trust in the worst possible way.

“I cannot put into words how upset I am I no longer have contact with my son — and only hope I’ll have the chance to see him again.”