England star Adam Johnson held on teen sex charge

England international Adam Johnson has been arrested on suspicion of sexual activity with a girl under 16, sources said.

The girl is believed to be 15 years old. The Sunderland footballer was released on bail last night.

He has also been suspended by the club, pending the outcome of the police investigation.

A statement from Sunderland AFC said: “Sunderland AFC has confirmed that Adam Johnson has been suspended from the club, pending the outcome of a police investigation. No further comment will be made at the present time.”

He had been due to travel with the rest of the squad to Humberside yesterday for tonight’s Barclays Premier League fixture at Hull.

Durham Constabulary said he continues to help them with their inquiries as they investigate the allegation.

A police spokesman said: “A 27-year-old man was arrested earlier today on suspicion of sexual activity with a girl under 16.”

Last night, an officer revealed Johnson had been bailed and was no longer at Peterlee station.

Born in Sunderland, the winger has represented his country 12 times and also played for Middlesbrough and Manchester City. In August 2012, he moved back to his native North East, to Sunderland, in a £10m deal, and highlights of his time there have included a hat-trick on January 11 last year in a 4-1 away win over Fulham.

He said after taking the match ball as a memento: “These days don’t come along too often unless you’re Messi or Ronaldo, so it was nice for me to get that ball as a souvenir to look back on.

“This is up there with one of my best days of my career along with playing for England, scoring for England.”