Ched Evans, the soccer player trying to revive his career after a rape conviction, apologized Thursday for "the effects" of his actions as his bid to join English club Oldham fell through.

Oldham blamed "unbearable pressure" for abandoning the deal, saying staff, sponsors and fans received death threats after its interest in Evans emerged on Sunday.

Evans, a former Manchester City and Sheffield United striker, maintains he was wrongly convicted of raping a 19-year-old woman in a hotel room in 2011. He was released from jail about three months ago and has since been trying to sign with a professional soccer team.

"Whilst I continue to maintain my innocence, I wish to make it clear that I wholeheartedly apologize for the effects that night in Rhyl has had on many people, not least the woman concerned," Evans said in a statement released by the Professional Football Association.

Several people have been fined for revealing the victim's identity online and she has reportedly had to change her name several times and move.

"It has been claimed that those using social media in an abusive and vindictive way towards this woman are supporters of mine," Evans said. "I wish to make it clear that these people are not my supporters and I condemn their actions entirely and will continue to do so."

Oldham, a club in the third tier of English soccer, has lost sponsorship deals this week over its pursuit of Evans, and also said it received a "barrage of abuse."

"Proceeding could have placed significant financial pressure on the club and continued to be a divisive influence - as a consequence the deal could not go ahead," Oldham chief executive Neil Joy said.

"We deplore and condemn the vile and abusive threats, some including death threats, which have been made to our fans, sponsors and staff whilst this process has been in the public domain," Joy added outside the club's stadium.

Evans, who has had an appeal rejected, is now trying to get his conviction overturned by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. Because of that, he has not discussed the details of the case in public.

"This silence has been misinterpreted as arrogance and I would like to state that this could not be further from the truth," Evans said.

Evans retains the backing of the footballers' union. The PFA said that "any club which decides to sign him would receive our support."