Controversial ex-Blackburn Rovers footballer David Goodwillie has signed for Radcliffe FC and scored a hat-trick on his debut on Tuesday night.

The 33-year-old, who was ruled by a judge in a civil case in 2017 to have raped a woman, netted three times in a 4-2 home win over Belper Town FC.

Goodwillie, a striker who made 28 appearances for Blackburn Rovers between 2011 and 2014, has three Scotland caps.

Sky Sports News said it has been told he has been given a short-term contract by Radcliffe, who play in the seventh tier of English football, the Northern Premier League.

His signing had not been announced by Radcliffe, with his introduction into the side confirmed once the teamsheet was released ahead of kick-off.

Some social media users registered their disgust with Radcliffe after spotting his name in the line-up.

As of yet, the club has not responded to the criticism.

In January last year, Scottish side Raith Rovers came under fire for signing Goodwillie from Clyde.

Several prominent supporters, directors and sponsors, including high-profile author Val McDermid, withdrew their backing of the club as a result.

Days after the signing Raith said it had made a mistake and apologised.

He was loaned back to Clyde in March.

But soon after he was banned from the club's Broadwood Stadium by North Lanarkshire Council, which rented the site to Clyde up until last year.

He was released by Raith in September.

Lancashire Telegraph: David Goodwillie during his spell at Blackburn RoversDavid Goodwillie during his spell at Blackburn Rovers

Goodwillie has three convictions for assault between 2008 and 2012.

In 2011 he was charged with rape alongside then-teammate David Robertson by the Crown Office in Scotland, but the charge was dropped due to insufficient evidence.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority determined that the woman had been raped and awarded her £11,000.

The woman took civil action in 2016 against Goodwillie and Robertson, in the first case of its kind in Scotland.

The judge ruled they had each raped her, and ordered them to pay £100,000 in compensation.

The civil case was judged on the balance of probabilities and did not need corroboration of evidence, unlike in a criminal case where a case has to be proved beyond reasonable doubt.

In 2017, on appeal the ruling was upheld. Goodwille and Robertson both declared bankruptcy and are said to have not paid any compensation to the woman.