Sunderland sack disgraced footballer Adam Johnson

  • 12/02/2016
Adam Johnson and Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce (Getty Images)
Adam Johnson and Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce (Getty Images)

Disgraced footballer Adam Johnson has been sacked by English Premier League club Sunderland after pleading guilty to charges involving sex with an underage girl.

Johnson plead guilty to one charge of grooming and one charge of sexual activity when he appeared at Bradford Crown Court on Wednesday (Thursday NZT).

The 28-year-old was already ruled out of this weekend's Premier League match against Manchester United but later had his contract terminated.

"In light of Adam Johnson's guilty pleas, the club has today terminated his contract with immediate effect," Sunderland said in a statement.

"The club will make no further comment."

Adidas has also cancelled its contract with Johnson.

Johnson will also stand trial on two further counts of sexual activity with a child which he denies.

Johnson, who began his career at Middlesbrough and also played for Manchester City, joined Sunderland for £10 million ($21m NZD) in 2012 on a four-year contract.

He has been a regular for the Premier League side this season – playing while on bail - and scored in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool last week.

The case is expected to last for two weeks.

Newshub. / Reuters