Adam Johnson sacked by Sunderland

Sunderland have sacked winger Adam Johnson a day after he pleaded guilty to two child sex offences.

Johnson was in court on Wednesday, where he admitted one count of grooming and one of sexual activity with a 15-year-old schoolgirl, but also denied two further charges of sexual activity.

The 28-year-old will be back in court today for the start of his trial.

And a brief Sunderland statement released last night read: “In light of Adam Johnson’s guilty pleas, the club has today terminated his contract with immediate effect.”

A couple of hours earlier, Johnson had lost his boot sponsorship deal with Adidas, who also cited his guilty pleas in a brief statement.