Crossword Genius

Footballer hugging old man in love (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

besotted

'in love' is the definition.
(to be besotted with someone is to love them)

'footballer hugging old man' is the wordplay.
'footballer' becomes 'best' (George Best).
'hugging' indicates putting letters inside.
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'man' becomes 'ted' (Ted is a man's name).
'best' placed around 'o' is 'besot'.
'besot'+'ted'='BESOTTED'

(Other definitions for besotted that I've seen before include "Stupefied by infatuation" , "Infatuated, mentally intoxicated" , "Showing foolish fondness" , "Foolishly infatuated" , "Smitten" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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