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Winger Adam Johnson, a former England international, has been sacked by struggling Premier League club Sunderland after pleading guilty on February 10th to a count of child grooming and a count of sexual activity with a 15-year-old child. The player had his contract terminated after the admission of guilt and Sunderland released a press statement the next day which said, “In light of Adam Johnson’s guilty pleas, the club has today terminated his contract with immediate effect. The club will make no further comment.”

The 28-year-old Johnson pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court, but pleaded not guilty to a pair of charges of sexual activity with a female under the age of 16. Johnson will stand trial on those charges in an attempt to prove his innocence. Johnson was originally arrested last March and then released on bail with the accusations stemming from his activity from December 2014 and February of 2015. He was then suspended by Sunderland, but allowed to return to the squad after Durham police extended his bail.

Johnson also found out that his sponsorship deal with sports company Adidas was terminated shortly after entering his guilty pleas. In fact, Adidas ended their association with him before Sunderland did. Johnson was under contract with the club until the end of the current 2015/16 campaign. Johnson spent his youth career at Newcastle United and Middlesbrough and made his pro debut in a UEFA Cup game for Middlesbrough when he was just 17 years old.

The native of Sunderland also spent time on loan with Watford and Leeds United. He played 120 games with Middlesbrough and scored 16 goals. Johnson joined Manchester City in 2010 and won the FA Cup, FA Community Shield and Premier League title with them, adding 15 goals in 97 appearances before joining Sunderland in 2012/13. Johnson played a total of 141 contests with his hometown team and scored 22 goals before being sacked. He has played 358 career pro games and has 58 goals to his name.

At one point Johnson had a bright England international future ahead of him. He played for the nation’s Under-19 team from 2005 to 2006 and the Under-21 squad between 2007 and 2009. He made his debut for the senior national side on May 24th 2010 in a World Cup warm up match. His full debut came later the same year in a contest against Hungary at London’s Wembley Stadium. In total, Johnson has made a dozen appearances for England with two goals under his belt.