Dutch football star Leroy Fer has become a laughing stock among his team-mates after buying his girlfriend a pet horse – only to find out she can’t keep it as she lives in a block of flats.

Holland international Fer, who plays for FC Twente, made the extravagant purchase at an auction of former racehorses.

The 22-year-old visited the auction with his girlfriend and other Dutch celebrities, and opened his cheque book after Fer’s lady friend took a liking to famous stallion by the name of Django.

Fer splashed out just over £22,000 on the horse, and in a bid to impress, kept the whole thing a secret before announcing it to her expecting a positive reaction.

However, while his girlfriend was extremely flattered, she had to point out that she lives in a block of flats, and has no way of keeping or looking after poor Django.

With no suitable stable space available in the area, Fer has been forced to quickly offload the horse.

Fer is said to be looking to buy a cat or dog instead – perhaps a more fitting gift.