Albion's star player Leon Knight today insisted he was not in financial ruin after he was declared bankrupt.

Daimler Chrysler filed a successful petition against the 22-year-old striker over an unpaid £15,000 debt on a car.

Knight, who lives in Bracknell, Berks, insists the resulting bankruptcy order is due to a mistake over a change of address.

Under the terms of the order, the striker, who is thought to be one of Albion's highest-paid players and is known for splashing out on cars, jewellery and clothes, will be banned from using his bank.

The order, granted in March, also makes it illegal for him to use a credit card or to apply for credit of more than £500 without first disclosing the fact he is bankrupt.

Knight insisted he was confident the order would be reversed.

His spokesman said: "It's a situation that is not Leon's fault. He owed a certain amount of money. The letters had gone to his old address and his old agent and there was obviously a problem because they were not passed on.

"Unfortunately, by the time we found out and tried to get it cleared it had gone too far down the system. He will pay the full sum and it is going to get it annulled."

He said the striker was not in financial difficulties.

The official receiver at Reading now has responsibility for administering Knight's bankruptcy and protecting his assets.

He will have to provide information about his financial affairs, giving a list of assets and details of what he owes and to whom.

He will also have to give details of books, records, bank statements, insurance policies and other papers relating to his property and financial affairs.

Knight will also have to tell the receiver about assets and increases in income he gets during his bankruptcy, which will be discharged automatically on March 21 next year.

Since joining Albion on loan from Chelsea in July 2003, Knight has quickly become one of the most popular players in the club's recent history.

He was their top goalscorer last season, netting the play-off final penalty which earned The Seagulls promotion last season.

In an interview with The Argus after he joined the Albion, Knight, who grew up in Hackney, said: "I spend all my money on cars, clothes and jewellery. I've got a Range Rover on the way. I'm like a little kid, I like toys.

"When you've come from where I've come you don't have that sort of stuff.

"When you can afford to buy things you love it, you're like a little kid in a candy store. That is a good feeling."