New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has testified that Aaron Hernandez told him that he was "not involved" in the murder of Odin Lloyd.

Hernandez was arrested and charged for the murder of Lloyd in June 2013, to which the former NFL player has pleaded not guilty.

Before his arrest, the 25-year-old went to the Patriots' facility for a workout, but was pulled aside by Kraft who asked about his involvement in the incident.

"I understood there was an incident that had transpired, and I wanted to know whether he was involved, and if he was - any player that comes into our system, I consider part of our extended family, and I wanted to get him help," Kraft told the court.

"He said he was not involved. That he was innocent and that he hoped that the time of the murder incident came out because he said he was in a club."

Hernandez played for the Patriots for three seasons before he was released by the club following his arrest.