ESPN Player has launched an application for Apple iPads.

The app is available from Thursday and can be downloaded for free via the iTunes store.

The new app carries the same depth and quality of coverage that ESPN Player gives on desktop computers and includes a number of dynamic new features.

One of the features is integrated social media sharing functionality, which means that users can share links to videos or comments around games they are watching using Facebook or Twitter.

"We're focused on extending fans' access to the sports they love on the multiple devices that they increasingly use," said Arne Rees, EPSN's vice-president of digital media.

"Extending ESPN Player beyond desktop computers on to iPads helps us achieve that aim. ESPN has a long heritage of making the most of new technologies for fans."

Existing ESPN Player subscribers can access the services for free by using their username and password after downloading the new app to their iPad.