Saints star Guly do Prado has been charged with drink driving, it has been revealed.

The player was arrested in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Do Prado was driving his black Porsche down Southampton ’s High Street when he was pulled over by officers outside city restaurant Rancho Steakhouse.

Witnesses saw the footballer handcuffed by police as he stepped out of his four-door Panamera – which can range from £59,000 up to £122,000.

The 30-year-old was driven away in the back of a waiting police van at about 4.35am, leaving his three passengers to find a taxi home.

Hampshire police confirmed that the driver arrested was do Prado, whose address was given as Channel Way, and that he was later charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

A witness to the arrest, who did not want to be named, said: “I saw this Porsche drive by with the blues and twos behind it and it pulled over just in front of Ranchos.

“The next thing I saw was Guly getting handcuffed and carted off in a police van that had turned up to take him away. I instantly recognised him because I’ve seen him about before.

“There were three other people in the car, a woman and two men, who had to walk up to the taxi rank to get a lift home as the police parked up Guly’s car outside La Lupa.”

Last month do Prado signed a one-year extension to his contract at the club that will see him through to summer 2014.

He has been a main part of manager Nigel Adkins ’ squad that has won Saints two successive promotions from League One and the Championship .

Playing up front and in midfield he has started both matches in the Premier League, against Wigan and Manchester City, playing the full 90 minutes in each.

His arrest comes 36 hours after Saints’ 2- 0 defeat against Wigan at St Mary’s on Saturday – the team’s first home game back in the top flight for seven years and their second defeat since their return.

A Hampshire police spokesperson said: “Police are able to confirm that a 30-yearold Southampton man was arrested and subsequently charged for driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit.

“The arrested followed after police officers noticed a vehicle being driven erratically in the High Street, Southampton, at approximately 4.35am.”

Born in Capinas, Brazil, do Prado has made 87 appearances and scored 22 goals for Southampton since joining the club in August 2010 from Italian side Cesena.

He has been released on bail and is due to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court next month.