Sunderland terminates contract of disgraced Adam Johnson

Sunderland has terminated the contract of Adam Johnson after the winger pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of grooming at Bradford crown court.

Sunderland confirmed the news via a statement on the club website:

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.

Johnson attended the hearing of his trial on Wednesday with long-term partner and mother of his 1-year-old daughter, Stacey Flounders, and while admitting to knowledge of the 15-year-old schoolgirl's age and kissing her, he denies two other counts of sexual activity. The case is due to be formally opened on Friday.

The England international was also dropped from his boot contract with Adidas earlier on Thursday.

Johnson was arrested on March 2 of last year and was promptly suspended by Sunderland upon hearing of the news. When his bail was extended a fortnight later, however, then-manager Dick Advocaat reinstated him into the Premier League outfit's squad.

He continued to play a vital role in the Black Cats' lineup this season, too, getting on the scoresheet in a 2-2 draw at Liverpool last Saturday. Current Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce had already confirmed Johnson was out of contention for this Saturday's meeting with Manchester United, but now it seems that he has played his last match for his hometown club following his release.

The 28-year-old's footballing talents have seen him represent Middlesbrough, Manchester City, and Sunderland, with the latter paying £10 million for his services in 2012. He has also represented his county on 12 occasions.