Adam Johnson has been sacked by Sunderland after pleading guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one charge of grooming.<\/p>\n
The 28-year-old footballer had been dropped for Saturday’s Premier League match against Manchester United, but the club later terminated his contract.<\/p>\n
He will stand trial on Friday on two further counts of sexual activity with a child, which he denies.<\/p>\n
Sportswear firm Adidas has cancelled its contract with the midfielder.<\/p>\n
After Johnson’s arrest in March 2015, the club suspended him, but then lifted the ban following talks with his representatives and the Professional Footballers’ Association.<\/p>\n
In his last appearance for the Black Cats, England international Johnson – who had been playing while on bail – scored against Liverpool as his side drew 2-2 at Anfield.<\/p>\n
Johnson, who was born in Sunderland, began his career at Middlesbrough before moving to Manchester City and then to Sunderland for \u00a310m in 2012.<\/p>\n
When asked about the winger’s future at an earlier news conference on Thursday, Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce said: “He’ll not be available for this weekend. We will see how it goes after that.”<\/p>\n
The trial is being held at Bradford Crown Court and is expected to last two weeks.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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