Adam Johnson (footballer)#Reaction

Johnson was born in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, and brought up in Easington, County Durham, in North East England.{{cite web|url=http://www.mcfc.co.uk/citytv/interviews/2010/march/adam-johnson-on-that-sunderland-goal|title=Adam Johnson reflects on his spectacular goal at Sunderland|publisher=Manchester City F.C.|access-date=23 April 2015|archive-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111184058/http://www.mcfc.co.uk/citytv/interviews/2010/march/adam-johnson-on-that-sunderland-goal|url-status=dead}} He played for Cleveland Juniors Football Club and attended Easington Community Science College.{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/8744377.Dale___s_death_was_the_worst_day_of_my_life/ |title=England and Manchester City star tells of his torment |first=Gavin |last=Engelbrecht |date=17 December 2010 |access-date=17 December 2010 |newspaper=The Northern Echo|location=Darlington}} Upon seeing Johnson score two goals at a Wembley Stadium seven-a-side school match, Johnny Haynes told Johnson he was "a great little player" with "a lovely left foot".{{cite news |title=Legend tipped schoolboy Johnson for England |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1316151_legend_tipped_schoolboy_Johnson_for_england |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=7 September 2010 |access-date=8 September 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100909232040/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1316151_legend_tipped_schoolboy_johnson_for_england| archive-date= 9 September 2010 | url-status= live}}

At the age of 12,{{cite news|title=Jonno says 'Thank you Boro'|url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/articles/20100203/jonno-says-thank-you-boro_70638_1954010|publisher=Middlesbrough F.C.|date=3 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818080512/http://www.mfc.co.uk/articles/20100203/jonno-says-thank-you-boro_70638_1954010 |archive-date=18 August 2010}} Johnson was taken in by Middlesbrough's youth academy, having previously attended Newcastle United's Centre of Excellence between 1995 and 1997. He and his Boro teammates David Wheater, Tony McMahon and Andrew Taylor were part of the squad that won the 2003–04 FA Youth Cup.{{cite news | url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fa-youth-cup-what-happened-7047898 | title=FA Youth Cup: What happened to the Boro players who won the cup in 2004? |newspaper=Teesside Gazette |location=Middlesbrough | date=10 April 2014 |access-date=21 April 2016}}

He made his senior début aged 17 on 17 March 2005 in the UEFA Cup in the 1–0 defeat away to Sporting CP which saw the club eliminated 4–2 on aggregate in the last 16, replacing Doriva for the last 11 minutes.{{cite news|title=Sporting 1–0 M'brough (Agg: 4–2)|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4350037.stm|access-date=3 March 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 March 2005}} Almost six months later, on 10 September, he made his Premier League debut, and first senior start, deputising for the injured fellow academy product Stewart Downing in a 2–1 home win against Arsenal.{{cite news|title=Middlesbrough 2–1 Arsenal|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4210896.stm|access-date=3 March 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 September 2005}} For much of the first half of the 2005–06 season, he was on the bench as an unused substitute, mainly in the UEFA Cup matches.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} He made his second start in the competition against Litex Lovech on 15 December and set up Massimo Maccarone's first goal in a 2–0 win.{{cite news|title=Maccarone joy for Middlesbrough|url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/history/season=2005/round=2209/match=81985/report=rp.html|publisher=UEFA|date=15 December 2005}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} For the rest of the season, he remained in the team's matchday squads, albeit as Downing's deputy or an unused substitute.{{cite news|title=Adam Johnson|url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/boro-fc/tm_headline=adam-johnson-&method=full&objectid=17787545&siteid=109975-name_page.html|newspaper=Teesside Gazette|location=Middlesbrough|date=20 September 2006}}

Johnson's first goal for Middlesbrough came in a midweek Premier League match away to Bolton Wanderers on 3 May 2006, opening the scoring in a 1–1 draw with "a mazy run from the left flank before curling in a deflected shot".{{cite news|title=Bolton 1–1 Middlesbrough|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4957434.stm|access-date=3 March 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=3 May 2006}} He was playing due to Middlesbrough's involvement in the 2006 UEFA Cup Final, which was to be played a week later as Steve McClaren rested most of the first team squad.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} On 30 June 2006, he signed a new four-year contract extension.{{cite news|title=Johnson agrees new four-year contract with Middlesbrough|url=http://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/archive/2006/06/30/Sport%3A+Football+%28Middlesbrough+News%29/814267.Johnson_agrees_new_four_year_contract_with_Middlesbrough/|newspaper=Darlington & Stockton Times|date=30 June 2006}}

On 16 October 2006, he joined Leeds United on a month-long loan after being signed by Leeds' caretaker manager John Carver, but with Leeds struggling in the Championship, it was hard for Johnson to impress despite getting the man of the match award on his debut.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} After playing four matches during his month-long loan spell, Johnson returned to Middlesbrough as Leeds chose not to extend his loan.{{cite news|title=Leeds decide not to keep Johnson|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/6169126.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 November 2006}} Later on in the season, he came on as a substitute in the FA Cup replay with Bristol City and played a vital role in seeing Middlesbrough through to the next round by setting up one goal and scoring the winning penalty in the shootout.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}

In September 2007, Johnson joined Championship club Watford on a three-month loan.[http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1111916,00.html Johnson on loan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220021646/http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10400~1111916%2C00.html |date=20 December 2007 }} He played 12 matches for the club, scoring five times, before being recalled to Middlesbrough earlier than stipulated in the deal following some brilliant performances.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} Coincidentally, Watford's form dipped after his departure.

In the final match of the season, he scored an {{convert|18|yd|m|abbr=off|adj=on|0}} strike from a loose ball just minutes after coming on as a substitute in Boro's 8–1 victory over Manchester City.{{cite news|title=Report: Middlesbrough vs Manchester City|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=221348&cc=5901&league=ENG.1|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=11 May 2008|access-date=19 November 2009|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024232944/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=221348&cc=5901&league=ENG.1|url-status=dead}} In the 2008–09 season, he managed to make 32 appearances, half of those as substitutes as Downing was first choice.{{cite web|title=Magic Johnson|url=http://thefa.com/England/MensUnder-21Team/NewsAndFeatures/2008/EngU21s_Johnson.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203204342/http://thefa.com/England/MensUnder-21Team/NewsAndFeatures/2008/EngU21s_Johnson.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 February 2013|publisher=The Football Association|date=5 February 2009}}{{cite news|title=Johnson keen to secure Boro place|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/7715428.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 November 2009}} He managed to start most of the fixtures near the end of the season when Downing was ruled out with a long-term injury.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}

Johnson became an important part of Boro's Championship team for the 2009–10 season following Downing's transfer to Aston Villa, scoring three of Boro's five goals in the first three matches.{{cite news|title=Adam Johnson can be the best ever|url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/boro-fc/boro-fc-news/2009/10/31/adam-johnson-can-be-the-best-ever-84229-25058974/|newspaper=Teesside Gazette|location=Middlesbrough|date=31 October 2009}}[http://www.mfc.co.uk/articles/adam-johnson-manchester-city_70610_33301 Adam Johnson] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306072503/http://www.mfc.co.uk/articles/adam-johnson-manchester-city_70610_33301 |date=6 March 2010 }} He led the Boro scoring charts, with eight goals, for the entire first half of the season despite being a winger, which led to new manager Gordon Strachan expressing his concern about overrelying on Johnson for goals.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} In the 18 August match at Scunthorpe United, he missed a penalty awarded for a foul on Rhys Williams and scored another after being tripped by the Scunthorpe goalkeeper in the penalty box when both went for the rebound.{{cite news|title=Report: Scunthorpe vs Middlesbrough|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=268133&cc=5901&league=ENG.2|publisher=ESPNsoccernet|date=18 August 2009|access-date=13 November 2009|archive-date=4 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604034914/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=268133&cc=5901&league=ENG.2|url-status=dead}}

After a bright start to the season, the highly rated youngster became a subject of transfer rumours, but the Boro management insisted that he would not be sold.{{cite news|title=Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson will not be sold despite rejecting new contract|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/championship/middlesbrough/5815879/Middlesbroughs-Adam-Johnson-will-not-be-sold-despite-rejecting-new-contract.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717220520/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/championship/middlesbrough/5815879/Middlesbroughs-Adam-Johnson-will-not-be-sold-despite-rejecting-new-contract.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 July 2009 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=13 July 2009 | location=London | first=Rob | last=Stewart | access-date=10 August 2013}}{{cite news|title=Sunderland chase Boro winger|url=http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/Sunderland-chase-Boro-winger-.5752549.jp|newspaper=Sunderland Echo|date=21 October 2009|access-date=1 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091024034719/http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/Sunderland-chase-Boro-winger-.5752549.jp|archive-date=24 October 2009|url-status=dead}} He chose not to extend his contract, however, which was to end after the 2009–10 season.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} On 13 December, he was substituted for Marvin Emnes after picking up a hamstring injury in the 1–0 home loss to Cardiff City{{cite news|title=Boro feel loss of 'terrific' Jonno|url=http://www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk/articles/boro-feel-loss-of-terrific-jonno-20091214_70638_1904271|publisher=Middlesbrough F.C.|date=14 December 2009}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} but returned to score a penalty against Scunthorpe in a 3–0 win, thus taking his goal tally into double figures.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} He scored a brace for the third time in the season when he turned in a man of the match performance against Doncaster Rovers on 26 January to end Boro's winless away streak stretching back to October.{{cite news|title=Johnson brings joy and fear for Boro|url=http://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/archive/2010/01/27/Sport%3A+Football+%28Middlesbrough+Match+Reports%29/4873429.Doncaster_Rovers_1_Middlesbrough_4/|newspaper=Darlington & Stockton Times|date=27 January 2010}}

In recognition of his consistent performances, Johnson was voted for the North East Football Writers' Young Player of the Year award,{{cite news|title=Ambitious Jonno Targets Honours|url=http://www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk/articles/ambitious-jonno-targets-honours-20091112_70638_1873902|publisher=Middlesbrough F.C.|date=12 November 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115103759/http://www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk/articles/ambitious-jonno-targets-honours-20091112_70638_1873902|archive-date=15 November 2009}} joining a string of Boro players to do so.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}

File:Adam Johnson and Luis Henríquez - Lech - Manchester 199.jpg in 2010]]

When the winter transfer window opened, Johnson was again the subject of transfer speculation and Middlesbrough reportedly received a bid from Manchester City.{{cite news|title=City's valuation of Adam Johnson falls short|url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/boro-fc/2010/01/29/manchester-city-s-valuation-of-adam-johnson-falls-short-84229-25713777/|newspaper=Teesside Gazette |location=Middlesbrough |date=29 January 2010}} Interest from Manchester City was heightened after Adam Johnson played City weeks earlier in an FA Cup third round.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} Although Johnson had to go off injured in the first half, he was arguably the best player on the pitch during his 30-minute spell.{{Cite news |title=Middlesbrough 0–1 Man City |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/8434036.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 January 2010 |access-date=9 May 2012}} On 1 February 2010, City signed him for an undisclosed fee, rumoured to be in the region of £7 million, on a four-and-a-half-year contract.{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5910509,00.html |title=City complete Johnson capture |date=1 February 2010 |access-date=1 February 2010 |publisher=Sky Sports |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203121237/http://www.skysports.com/story/0%2C19528%2C11095_5910509%2C00.html |archive-date=3 February 2010 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|title=Johnson Leaves Boro|url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/articles/20100201/johnson-leaves-boro_70638_1952359|publisher=Middlesbrough F.C.|date=1 February 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203021228/http://www.mfc.co.uk/articles/20100201/johnson-leaves-boro_70638_1952359|archive-date=3 February 2010}}{{cite news|title=Adam Johnson joins Manchester City from Middlesbrough in late deal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/feb/01/adam-johnson-manchester-city-middlesbrough|newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=1 February 2010}}

Johnson made his first appearance for the club on 6 February, coming on as substitute for Stephen Ireland against Hull City.{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/feb/06/hull-manchester-city-premier-league | title=No happy return for Wayne Bridge as Hull defeat Manchester City |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London | date=6 February 2010 | access-date=22 April 2016}} Three days later, he made his first start against Bolton Wanderers on the right side of a three-man attack alongside Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor, finishing as the man of the match.{{cite news|title=City trample on Trotters: Johnson inspires Eastlands win|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3221547,00.htm|publisher=Sky Sports |date=10 February 2010}} Johnson scored his first goal against Sunderland; he curled a left footed effort into the top corner one and a half minutes into injury time to secure a last-gasp 1–1 draw.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8559684.stm|title=Sunderland 1–1 Man City|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 March 2010 |access-date=14 March 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100317125836/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8559684.stm| archive-date= 17 March 2010 | url-status= live}} His performance, which earned the man of the match award,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/feb/11/adam-johnson-manchester-city |title=Adam Johnson brings school playground ethic to Manchester City |first=John |last=Ashdown |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=11 February 2010 |access-date=21 April 2016}} led England manager Fabio Capello to publicly praise him and consider him for selection.{{cite news|title=Adam Johnson plays down talk of an England call-up|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8621607.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 April 2010}}

On New Year's Day, he scored the winner in the 1–0 win against Blackpool, dedicating his goal to Dale Roberts, his friend and Rushden & Diamonds goalkeeper who committed suicide on 14 December 2010.{{cite news | url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/adam-johnsons-goal-tribute-former-3680899 | title=Adam Johnson's goal tribute as former Boro youth player laid to rest |newspaper=Teesside Gazette |location=Middlesbrough | date=4 January 2011 | access-date=20 April 2016}} He ended the season with his first senior trophy of his career, the 2011 FA Cup, coming on as a substitute in the final.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13346941 "Man City 1–0 Stoke"]. BBC Sport. 14 May 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2014.

After scoring in two 3–0 wins against Inter Milan and League of Ireland XI in the pre-season Dublin Super Cup, he started in Manchester City's first Premier League match of the season against Swansea City, getting an assist as his shot was saved by Michel Vorm and the rebound scored by Edin Džeko.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} City went on to win the match 4–0.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14440546.stm "Man City 4–0 Swansea"]. BBC Sport. 15 August 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2012. He scored his first goal of the season during a 4–0 win against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, curling a shot into the top corner to make the score 1–0 at the time.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15045624.stm "Blackburn 0–4 Man City"]. BBC Sport. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2012. He followed it up with a goal in the next match against Aston Villa, with the match finishing 4–1 to City.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/15225816.stm "Man City 4–1 Aston Villa"]. BBC Sport. 15 October 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2012. On 26 October 2011, he scored and got an assist in a 5–2 League Cup win against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/15363348.stm "Wolves 2–5 Man City"]. BBC Sport. 26 October 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2012. Three days later, he again scored against Wolves, this time in a 3–1 home league win.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15413453.stm "Man City 3–1 Wolves"]. BBC Sport. 29 October 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2012. In the next round, he assisted the only goal of the match, playing a through-ball for Sergio Agüero to score, in a 1–0 win away to Arsenal.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} He came on as a late sub in a 5–1 home win over Norwich City and scored his fifth goal of the season.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/15901844.stm "Man City 5–1 Norwich"]. BBC Sport. 3 December 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2012. His sixth goal of the season came in a 3–0 win against Stoke City on 21 December.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/16173173.stm "Man City 3–0 Stoke"]. BBC Sport. 21 December 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2012. On 14 April, he scored in a 6–1 win against Norwich at Carrow Road.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17642962 "Norwich 1–6 Man City"]. BBC Sport. 14 April 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2012. He ended that season with 26 league appearances as Manchester City won the 2011–12 Premier League in dramatic circumstances on the last day of the season.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17973148 "Man City 3–2 QPR"]. BBC Sport. 13 May 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2014.

On 24 August 2012, his hometown team Sunderland signed Johnson on a four-year contract for £10 million.{{cite news | url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/adam-johnson-trial-live-sunderland-10866665 | title=Adam Johnson trial RECAP: Sunderland footballer pleads guilty to two child sex charges but denies further counts |newspaper=Evening Chronicle |location=Newcastle | date=4 February 2016 | access-date=20 April 2016}} Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill said "Adding quality players to the squad has been our main aim this summer and Adam certainly fits that bill. He has terrific ability, great delivery and I'm sure he is a player who will excite the fans. I couldn't be more delighted to have him at the club."{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/sunderland/9498308/Manchester-City-outcast-Adam-Johnson-returns-to-North-East-in-10m-deal-with-Sunderland.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/sunderland/9498308/Manchester-City-outcast-Adam-Johnson-returns-to-North-East-in-10m-deal-with-Sunderland.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=Manchester City outcast Adam Johnson returns to North-East in £10m deal with Sunderland | newspaper=The Daily Telegraph | location=London | date=24 August 2012 | access-date=24 August 2012}}{{cbignore}} On 28 August, Johnson made his first appearance for Sunderland in a 2–0 win over League Two team Morecambe in the League Cup second round, assisting both goals at the Stadium of Light.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19340494 "Sunderland 2–0 Morecambe"]. BBC Sport. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012. He scored his first goal for the club on 10 November, opening the scoring in a 1–2 defeat away to Everton.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20190237 "Everton 2–1 Sunderland"]. BBC Sport. 10 November 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012. He scored the only goal of a win over former club Manchester City at home on 26 December.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} In April 2013, against Sunderland's fierce rivals Newcastle at St James' Park, Johnson's picked up the ball on Sunderland's right and cut inside before sending a curling effort past Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot with his left foot to score.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/apr/14/newcastle-sunderland-premier-league-match-report|title=Sunderland trounce Newcastle to give Paolo Di Canio first victory|first=James|last=Riach|date=14 April 2013|website=The Guardian|access-date=29 August 2019}}

Johnson's first goal of the 2013–14 season came in the League Cup against Milton Keynes Dons after a run from his own half, as Sunderland scored four goals in 12 minutes to win 4–2.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23764127|title=Sunderland 4–2 MK Dons|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=23 April 2015}} However, his form suffered as Sunderland struggled to one point from the first eight matches, a run that cost manager Paolo Di Canio his job.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} Johnson's next goal came in a 2–1 home defeat to Tottenham on 7 December.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25164222|title=Sunderland 1–2 Tottenham Hotspur|author=Lewis, Aimee|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=23 April 2015}}

After losing his place in the starting line up, the FA Cup third round match with Carlisle United marked a turning point in Johnson's fortunes as he scored a free kick and played a part in both other goals in Sunderland's 3–1 win.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25539737 |title=Sunderland 3–1 Carlisle United |work=BBC Sport |date=5 January 2014 |access-date=29 July 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020084956/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25539737 |archive-date=20 October 2018 }} Two days later, Johnson was brought on as a substitute in the League Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester United, and won a penalty after being fouled by Tom Cleverley, which Fabio Borini scored to give Sunderland a 2–1 advantage going into the second leg. Manager Gus Poyet praised Johnson's contribution as 'outstanding'.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25647607|title=Sunderland 2–1 Man Utd: Gus Poyet praises Adam Johnson|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=23 April 2015}} On 11 January 2014, he scored his first career hat-trick and assisted Ki Sung-Yueng, inspiring Sunderland to a 4–1 away win against Fulham which lifted them off the bottom of the table.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25696287|title=Fulham 1–4 Sunderland: Gus Poyet praises 'exceptional' Adam Johnson|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=23 April 2015}} He was the Premier League Player of the Month for January 2014.{{cite news|title=Pellegrini and Johnson secure Barclays monthly awards |url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2013-14/feb/manuel-pellegrini-and-adam-johnson-win-barclays-january-awards.html |access-date=7 February 2014 |publisher=Premier League |date=7 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214230714/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2013-14/feb/manuel-pellegrini-and-adam-johnson-win-barclays-january-awards.html |archive-date=14 February 2014}} On 2 March in the League Cup Final against Manchester City, he assisted Borini for the opening goal in the tenth minute, but Sunderland lost 1–3.{{cite news|last=McNulty|first=Phil|title=Man City 3–1 Sunderland|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26311649|access-date=17 April 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 March 2014}}

File:2015 Chelsea vs Sunderland - Adam Johnson.jpg in 2015]]

His first goal of the 2014–15 season came on 27 August in the League Cup against Birmingham City, where he scored the second goal in a 3–0 win.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28862763|title=Birmingham City 0–3 Sunderland|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=23 April 2015}} His first league goal of the season came on 13 September, where he scored a solo effort in a 2–2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29090585|title=Sunderland 2–2 Tottenham Hotspur|author=Keegan, Mike|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=23 April 2015}} On 21 December he scored a 90th-minute winning goal away to Newcastle, securing Sunderland's 4th consecutive win over their local rivals, and his third goal in three seasons against the club.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30467745|title=Newcastle United 0–1 Sunderland|author=Chowdhury, Saj|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=23 April 2015}} Five days later, Johnson opened the scoring after just 30 seconds against Hull City, but was unable to help the team avoid defeat as they went on to lose 1–3.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30544234|title=Sunderland 1–3 Hull City|author=Mellor, Jason|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=23 April 2015}} He scored his fifth goal of the season on New Years Day 2015, scoring from a penalty to make the score 2–2 against Manchester City, although Sunderland would go on to lose the match 3–2.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30600746|title=Manchester City 3–2 Sunderland|author=Johnston, Neil|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=23 April 2015}}

He was immediately suspended by Sunderland on 2 March 2015 after his arrest on suspicion of having sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.{{cite news|title=Adam Johnson arrested on suspicion of sexual activity with girl, 15|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31702374|work=BBC News|access-date=12 February 2016}} His suspension lasted for 2 matches under manager Gus Poyet; following Poyet's sacking and the appointment of new manager Dick Advocaat on 17 March, Johnson returned to the club on 18 March and played in the next game on 21 March.{{cite news|title=Adam Johnson: Sunderland midfielder plays against West Ham|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32000292|access-date=5 April 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 March 2015}} Despite Johnson later being charged with three offences, Sunderland continued to select him while he initially pleaded not guilty to all charges.{{cite news|last=Taylor|first=Louise|title=Sunderland will continue to select Adam Johnson after child sex charges|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/apr/24/sunderland-select-adam-johnson-sex-charges|newspaper=The Guardian| location=London|access-date=12 February 2016}}{{cite news|last=Eleftheriou-Smith|first=Loulla-Mae|title=Adam Johnson pleads not guilty to child sex charges|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/adam-johnson-pleads-not-guilty-to-child-sex-charges-10293967.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604141900/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/adam-johnson-pleads-not-guilty-to-child-sex-charges-10293967.html |archive-date=2015-06-04 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|newspaper=The Independent|location=London|access-date=12 February 2016}} During Johnson's trial, he claimed that he admitted to Sunderland in May 2015 that he had kissed the girl and sent her sexually explicit messages.{{cite news|title=Spotlight on Sunderland for allowing Adam Johnson to continue playing|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/mar/03/spotlight-on-sunderland-for-allowing-adam-johnson-to-continue-playing|access-date=3 March 2016 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=3 March 2016}}

Having played the first match of the new season, Johnson picked up an injury in August 2015, putting him out for two months.{{cite news|title=Adam Johnson: Sunderland winger out injured for two months|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33891438|access-date=12 August 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 August 2015}} On 25 October, he scored a penalty in the Tyne–Wear derby, opening the scoring before half time in an eventual 3–0 win.{{cite news|title=Sunderland 3–0 Newcastle|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34564966|access-date=25 October 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 October 2015}} Johnson played what would be his last match for Sunderland on 6 February 2016, the weekend before the start of his trial, scoring one of Sunderland's goals in a 2–2 draw with Liverpool.{{cite news|title=Liverpool 2–2 Sunderland|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35447637|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 February 2016}} Five days later Johnson had his contract terminated after he pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 and grooming.{{cite web|title=Club Statement|url=http://www.safc.com/news/club-news/2016/february/club-statement|publisher=Sunderland A.F.C.|access-date=11 February 2016|date=11 February 2016}}

A former England under-19 international,{{cite web|title=Adam Johnson|url=http://www.thefa.com/England/All-Teams/Players/J/Adam-Johnson |access-date=19 May 2012 |publisher = The Football Association}}{{dead link|date=April 2016}}{{cbignore}} Johnson was called up for the under-21 team at the 2009 UEFA U21 Championships in Sweden.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} He scored once in qualification{{cite web|url=http://thefa.com/England/MensUnder-21Team/NewsAndFeatures/2007/EngU21svPor_report.aspx|title=NotFound|publisher=The Football Association|access-date=23 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111114416/http://www.thefa.com/England/MensUnder-21Team/NewsAndFeatures/2007/EngU21svPor_report.aspx|archive-date=11 January 2010|url-status=dead}} and again in the first leg of the qualification play-offs against Wales U21s as the Young Lions narrowly won 5–4 on aggregate to qualify for the tournament.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} During the tournament, he started in two of the three group stage matches.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} He won the man of the match award in the final group stage match against Germany that ended in a 1–1 draw{{cite news|title=Johnson keeps his eyes on the prize|url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/under21/news/kind=1/newsid=840745.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624132357/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/under21/news/kind=1/newsid=840745.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 June 2009|publisher=UEFA|date=23 June 2009}} and converted his penalty in the semi-final shoot-out win against Sweden.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}

In late February 2010, Johnson was named in the senior squad for the first time in Fabio Capello's 30-man shortlist for the upcoming March friendly against Egypt in May, but did not make the final 23.{{cite news|title=Adam Johnson ready to turn Preimer League inside out|url=http://mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news/2010/March/Johnson-ready-to-turn-Premier-League-inside-out|publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |date=9 March 2010}} Two months later, Capello named Johnson in his preliminary 30-man 2010 FIFA World Cup squad.{{cite news|title=Fabio Capello makes surprise England World Cup choices |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8673706.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=11 May 2010}} Johnson made his England debut on 24 May in a FIFA World Cup warm-up match, a 3–1 friendly victory against Mexico at Wembley Stadium.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} Johnson came on as a late substitute for James Milner. The following week Capello announced his final 23-man squad, and Johnson failed to make the cut.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8713742.stm |title=World Cup 2010: Walcott left out of England squad |date=1 June 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=1 June 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100601064721/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8713742.stm| archive-date= 1 June 2010 | url-status= live}}

England's first match after the 2010 FIFA World Cup was against Hungary at Wembley Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/matchrsl/MatchRsl2005.html|title=England Matches 2005–2010|website=www.englandfootballonline.com|access-date=25 March 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/matchrsl/MatchRsl2010.html|title=England Matches 2010–2015|website=www.englandfootballonline.com|access-date=25 March 2019}} Johnson was named in the starting line-up for the first time, making his full England debut and playing the entire match.{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/7939331/England-2-Hungary-1-match-report.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/7939331/England-2-Hungary-1-match-report.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | location=London | newspaper=The Daily Telegraph | title=England 2 Hungary 1: match report | first=Henry | last=Winter | date=12 August 2010}}{{cbignore}} He scored his first international goal on 3 September 2010 against Bulgaria in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier, which England won 4–0.{{cite news|title=Fabio Capello hails England hat-trick man Jermain Defoe|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8968473.stm|access-date=4 September 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|date=3 September 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100907004804/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8968473.stm| archive-date= 7 September 2010 | url-status= live}} He scored his second international goal against Switzerland in a 3–1 win after coming on as an early substitute for the injured Theo Walcott.{{cite news|title=Switzerland 1–3 England|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8972401.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 September 2010|access-date=19 April 2016}} In all, he made five appearances in qualifying as England progressed to the finals of UEFA Euro 2012.{{cite web|title=Adam Johnson|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2012/teams/player=98815/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101152137/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2012/teams/player=98815/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 November 2011|access-date=19 May 2012 |publisher = UEFA}}

Fabio Capello resigned as England coach in February 2012, and Stuart Pearce took temporary charge.{{cite web | url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/live-update/554/fabio-capello-resigns-stuart-pearce-in-temporary-charge-live | title=Fabio Capello resigns, Stuart Pearce in temporary charge – LIVE! | publisher=Goal.com | access-date=20 April 2016}} Johnson started Pearce's only match as England manager, a 2–3 defeat at the hands of the Netherlands.{{cite news|author=McNulty, Phil |title=England 2–3 Netherlands| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17167110|access-date=19 May 2012 |date= 29 February 2012 |publisher = BBC Sport}} When Roy Hodgson took over in May 2012, Johnson was not selected in Hodgson's 23-man squad for UEFA Euro 2012, but was named on standby in case of injuries.{{cite news |title=Roy Hodgson names his first England squad |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/s/1505941_roy-hodgson-names-his-first-england-squad |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421024250/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/s/1505941_roy-hodgson-names-his-first-england-squad |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 April 2013 |access-date=19 May 2012 |date=16 May 2012 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News }} He totalled 12 England caps and scored two international goals.

In December 2014, Johnson began communicating over social media with a 15-year-old female fan while his partner was pregnant. The following 17 January, he met up with the girl in his Range Rover, where he signed two Sunderland shirts for her. Thirteen days later, they met again, and Johnson kissed the girl.{{cite news|title=Adam Johnson told he could be jailed for up to 10 years after child sex conviction|url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/adam-johnson-told-could-jailed-10979928|access-date=4 March 2016 |newspaper=Teesside Gazette |location=Middlesbrough |date=2 March 2016}}

On 2 March 2015, Johnson was arrested by Durham Police on suspicion of having sexual activity with an underage girl, who was 15.{{cite news | url=http://bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31702374 | title=England footballer in sex arrest | work=BBC News | date=2 March 2015 | access-date=2 March 2015}} On 23 April, he was charged with three offences of sexual activity with a child under 16 and one of child grooming, to which he pleaded not guilty in June. An initial trial date in Durham in September 2015 was later moved to February 2016 in Bradford Crown Court.{{cite web|title=England footballer Adam Johnson to face child sex trial in February|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-33760670|work=BBC News|access-date=12 February 2016|date=3 August 2015}}

On 10 February 2016, at the start of his trial, Johnson pleaded guilty to "one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of grooming". He denied two further counts of underage sexual activity.{{cite news|title=Adam Johnson trial: Girl met footballer for 'kiss and more'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35579014|access-date=15 February 2016|work=BBC News|date=15 February 2016}} The trial lasted for sixteen days, was presided over by Circuit Judge Jonathan Rose, the lead barrister for the prosecution was Kate Blackwell QC and the lead barrister for the defence was Orlando Pownall QC.{{cite news | url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/adam-johnson-trial-who-high-10869506 | title=Adam Johnson trial: Who is the high-flying lawyer defending the Sunderland winger? |newspaper=Evening Chronicle |location=Newcastle | date=11 February 2016 | access-date=20 April 2016}} On 2 March 2016, Johnson was found guilty on a majority verdict of 10–2 of one count of sexual activity with a child and found not guilty of a second count of the same crime.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35711213|title=Adam Johnson guilty of child sex crime|work=BBC News|date=2 March 2016}} In a victim impact statement, the girl stated that she suffered abuse on social media during the time Johnson claimed innocence, that she had lost confidence and that her school work had suffered.{{cite news|first=Samuel |last=Osborne| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/adam-johnson-victims-statement-15-year-old-says-him-being-found-guilty-shows-everyone-i-was-telling-a6907916.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302212731/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/adam-johnson-victims-statement-15-year-old-says-him-being-found-guilty-shows-everyone-i-was-telling-a6907916.html |archive-date=2016-03-02 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=Adam Johnson victim's statement: 15-year-old says guilty verdict 'shows everyone I was telling the truth'|newspaper=The Independent|location=London|date=2 March 2016|access-date=3 March 2016}} A court psychiatrist for the defence found Johnson to be "socially and psychologically immature" and stated that there was no evidence that Johnson had a sexual attraction to prepubescent children.

Johnson was granted bail in order to say farewell to his infant daughter. On 24 March 2016, he was sentenced to six years in prison for grooming and sexual activity with a girl aged 15. The judge also ordered him to pay £50,000 of the prosecution's legal fees of £67,132. In investigations, police found animal pornography on Johnson's laptop; he was not tried for possession of these files. Pownall said before the sentencing that Johnson had been "stripped of his England caps" but the FA later confirmed that this was not the case and that they cannot take caps away from players.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/03/24/adam-johnson-stripped-of-his-england-caps-lawyer-reveals/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/03/24/adam-johnson-stripped-of-his-england-caps-lawyer-reveals/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Adam Johnson not stripped of his England caps, despite lawyer's claims|last=Davis|first=Callum|date=24 March 2016|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |access-date=12 December 2016}}{{cbignore}} After his sentencing, Johnson was held at HM Prison Leeds.{{cite news|last=Kearney|first=Tony|title=Disgraced footballer Adam Johnson 'will serve his whole sentence with only fellow sex offenders for company'|url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/14382163.Disgraced_footballer_Adam_Johnson__will_serve_his_whole_sentence_with_only_fellow_sex_offenders_for_company_/|access-date=24 March 2016|newspaper=The Northern Echo|location=Darlington|date=24 March 2016}} On 12 April, Johnson's legal team launched an appeal against his sentence.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36023554|title=Adam Johnson lodges appeal over six-year jail term|work=BBC News|date=12 April 2016}} On 15 April, Johnson was moved to HM Prison Moorland near Doncaster.{{cite news|title=Child sex pervert football star Adam Johnson to be moved to Doncaster jail|url=http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/child-sex-pervert-football-star-adam-johnson-to-be-moved-to-doncaster-jail-1-7854423|access-date=19 April 2016|newspaper=Doncaster Free Press|date=15 April 2016|archive-date=19 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419132256/http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/child-sex-pervert-football-star-adam-johnson-to-be-moved-to-doncaster-jail-1-7854423|url-status=dead}} On 12 July, his appeal was refused,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36772586|title=Footballer Adam Johnson refused bid to appeal against child sex offence conviction|work=BBC News|date=12 July 2016}} and a second appeal was refused on 16 March 2017.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/mar/16/adam-johnson-refused-leave-appeal-against-conviction |title=Adam Johnson refused leave to appeal against child abuse conviction |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |first=Jamie |last=Grierson|date=16 March 2017 |access-date=16 March 2017}}

In April 2017 video footage taken inside HMP Moorland appeared to show Johnson talking to fellow inmates about his conviction. In the footage, Johnson talks about his victim and the fact that he believes his sentence was lengthened due to his position as a professional footballer.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-39665743|title=Adam Johnson prison video investigated|date=21 April 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=21 April 2017}} Johnson also seemed to say that he wished he had forcibly raped his victim.{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/adam-johnson-latest-video-rape-schoolgirl-footage-sex-conviction-football-player-england-sunderland-a7694241.html | title=Adam Johnson: I wish I'd raped schoolgirl I went to prison for molesting | website=Independent.co.uk | date=21 April 2017 }}

Johnson was released on 22 March 2019, after serving half of his sentence.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-47666849|title=Adam Johnson: Ex-Sunderland and England star released from jail|work=BBC News|date=22 March 2019}}

Johnson was immediately suspended by Sunderland following his arrest, and missed two games before being returned to the team while on bail. He played in 28 games throughout the following 11 months, until he was first dropped from the team on 11 February 2016, and then later sacked by Sunderland, after pleading guilty at trial to two of the four counts put against him.{{cite news|title= Adam Johnson will not play for Sunderland against Manchester United on Saturday|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/feb/11/adam-johnson-not-play-sunderland-manchester-united|date=11 February 2016|access-date=24 May 2020|newspaper=The Guardian}}{{cite news|title=Adam Johnson sacked by Sunderland after child sex charge admission|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35546894|access-date=11 February 2016|publisher=BBC Sport|date=11 February 2016}} His endorsement by Adidas was also terminated as a result, and EA Sports removed his likeness from the FIFA 16 video game.{{cite news|title=FIFA 16 'working to remove' Adam Johnson from game|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/35729416/fifa-16-working-to-remove-adam-johnson-from-game|access-date=6 March 2016|publisher=BBC|date=4 March 2016}}

After the conviction, Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce faced scrutiny for continuing to select Johnson during his bail, particularly following allegations that the club had seen documents in May 2015 suggesting that Johnson acknowledged his guilt. Allardyce, who had joined the club only in October 2015, claimed that he was not aware of such documents and had always been informed that Johnson was to plead not guilty; a Sunderland press release made the same statement.{{cite news|last=Hardy|first=Martin|title=Adam Johnson: Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce pleads ignorance over former player's guilt|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/adam-johnson-sunderland-manager-sam-allardyce-pleads-ignorance-over-former-players-guilt-a6910741.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053619/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/adam-johnson-sunderland-manager-sam-allardyce-pleads-ignorance-over-former-players-guilt-a6910741.html |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|access-date=4 March 2016|newspaper=The Independent|location=London|date=3 March 2016}}

In court, Johnson claimed that he had confessed to Sunderland chief executive Margaret Byrne on 4 May 2015. Byrne, a former lawyer, was due to appear as a witness for his defence but did not take the stand.{{cite news|last=Halliday|first=Josh|title=Sunderland chief believed to have left UK over Adam Johnson case|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/06/sunderland-chief-margaret-byrne-adam-johnson|access-date=7 March 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|date=6 March 2016}} Sunderland's supporter association desired to question her over her knowledge of the case.{{cite news|last=Hill|first=Laura|title=Margaret Byrne to be quizzed by Sunderland fan group over handling of Adam Johnson case|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/margaret-byrne-quizzed-sunderland-fan-11004661|access-date=7 March 2016|newspaper=Evening Chronicle |location=Newcastle |date=7 March 2016}} Byrne resigned on 8 March 2016, regretting her "serious mistake", but claimed that she had not made the club aware of Johnson's admission, nor was she aware that he was to plead guilty.{{cite news|last=Thompson|first=Andy|title=Sunderland CEO Margaret Byrne steps down admitting 'serious mistake' over Adam Johnson|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11695/10197033/sunderland-ceo-margaret-byrne-steps-down-admitting-serious-mistake-over-adam-johnson|access-date=8 March 2016|publisher=Sky Sports|date=8 March 2016}}

Pownall confirmed that Johnson intended to appeal against his conviction. Johnson's sister Faye urged supporters to change their Facebook profile pictures to one of Johnson and his daughter and a slogan proclaiming his innocence.{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/adam-johnsons-sister-writes-poem-defending-him-against-critics-a6922686.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311120827/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/adam-johnsons-sister-writes-poem-defending-him-against-critics-a6922686.html |archive-date=2016-03-11 |url-access=limited |url-status=live | title=Adam Johnson's sister writes poem defending him against critics | newspaper=The Independent |location=London | date=10 March 2016 | access-date=21 April 2016 | author=Fenton, Siobhan}} She had set up an online group for supporters of his innocence, which reached 1,000 likes before being shut down after being reported by users including North East-based child protection vigilantes Dark Justice.{{cite news|last=Halliday|first=Josh|title=Adam Johnson's sister launches campaign to support footballer's appeal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/08/footballer-adam-johnson-sister-justice-for-johnson-facebook|access-date=8 March 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|date=8 March 2016}} The chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, Gordon Taylor, said that Johnson had "damaged the reputation of football" and that his chances of playing again were "very remote".{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35896091 | title=Adam Johnson: Ex-Sunderland player unlikely to play again | publisher=BBC Sport | date=24 March 2016 | access-date=25 March 2016}}

Johnson attended school, and the academies of Sunderland and Middlesbrough, with Dale Roberts, who went on to play as a goalkeeper. Roberts died by suicide on 14 December 2010, which Johnson subsequently described as "the worst day of my life".{{Cite news|first=Gavin|last=Engelbrecht|title=England and Manchester City star tells of his torment|url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/8744377.Dale___s_death_was_the_worst_day_of_my_life/|newspaper=The Northern Echo|publisher=Newsquest|location=Darlington, England|date=17 December 2010|access-date=17 December 2010}}

Before his imprisonment, Johnson lived in Castle Eden, County Durham.{{cite web|title=Sunderland footballer Adam Johnson admits child sex charge|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35541528|work=BBC News|access-date=10 February 2016|date=10 February 2016}} He has a daughter, born in January 2015, with his former partner Stacey Flounders.{{cite news|first=Martin|last=Evans|title=Adam Johnson: Footballer arrested after schoolgirl boasted of 'relationship'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11447107/Adam-Johnson-Footballer-arrested-after-schoolgirl-boasted-of-relationship.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11447107/Adam-Johnson-Footballer-arrested-after-schoolgirl-boasted-of-relationship.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London, England|date=3 March 2015|access-date=4 March 2015}}{{cbignore}} In February 2016, while giving evidence at his trial, Flounders announced that she and Johnson had separated, claiming that he had confessed to infidelity with other women.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35659406|title=Adam Johnson trial: Couple split after 'cheating' admission|work=BBC News|date=25 February 2016}} During his imprisonment in 2017 he sold his home, Tollgate Lodge, for £1.7 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/property-news/shamed-adam-johnson-finally-sells-12823599|title=Shamed Adam Johnson finally sells luxury mansion|first=Jeremy|last=Armstrong|date=30 March 2017|website=nechronicle|access-date=25 March 2019}} It was purchased by Durham and England cricketer Ben Stokes.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/15386828.cricket-star-moves-into-adam-johnsons-luxury-county-durham-mansion/|title=Cricket star moves into Adam Johnson's luxury County Durham mansion|website=The Northern Echo|date=3 July 2017 |access-date=25 March 2019}} Upon his release from prison he returned to live in Castle Eden{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/villagers-speak-out-shamed-ex-16010642|title=Villagers speak out as ex-footballer Adam Johnson returns after prison release|first=Ian|last=Johnson|date=22 March 2019|website=nechronicle|access-date=25 March 2019}} in a seven-bedroom home he had built during his imprisonment.{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/shamed-adam-johnson-2m-luxury-12832738|title=Adam Johnson has £2m pad built for when he leaves prison|first=Keiran|last=Southern|date=2 April 2017|website=nechronicle|access-date=25 March 2019}} He and Stacey Flounders later reconciled, and had a second child, a son, who was born in July 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/paedo-footballer-adam-johnson-becomes-24622386 |title=Paedo footballer Adam Johnson becomes dad to second child after ex-girlfriend took him back |last=Bristow |first=Thomas |date=26 July 2021 |website=The Daily Mirror |access-date=15 March 2023 }}

File:Adam Johnson of Sunderland.jpg

{{updated|match played 6 February 2016}}

{{notelist}}

{{updated|match played 15 August 2012}}{{NFT player|38160|name=Johnson, Adam|accessdate=20 July 2017}}

{{Updated|match played 15 August 2012}}

:Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Johnson goal.

Manchester City

• Premier League: 2011–12{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/2274/Adam-Johnson/overview |title=Adam Johnson: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=17 April 2018}}
• FA Cup: 2010–11{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/adam-johnson/2833/ |title=A. Johnson: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |date=17 April 2018}}
• FA Community Shield: 2012

Sunderland

• Football League Cup runner-up: 2013–14{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26311649 |title=Manchester City 3–1 Sunderland |author=Phil McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 March 2014 |access-date=29 October 2023}}

Individual

• Premier League Player of the Month: January 2014

• Doug Richard

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.thefa.com/England/All-Teams/Players?p=315772 Adam Johnson profile] at the Football Association website
• {{UEFA player}}
• {{Soccerbase}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Adam}}

Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century English criminals

Category:Crime in County Durham

Category:Criminals from Tyne and Wear

Category:England men's international footballers

Category:England men's under-21 international footballers

Category:England men's youth international footballers

Category:English Football League players

Category:English male criminals

Category:English men's footballers

Category:English people convicted of child sexual abuse

Category:English prisoners and detainees

Category:Footballers from Sunderland

Category:Leeds United F.C. players

Category:Manchester City F.C. players

Category:Men's association football wingers

Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players

Category:People educated at Easington Community Science College

Category:Premier League players

Category:Prisoners and detainees of England and Wales

Category:British sportspeople convicted of crimes

Category:Sunderland A.F.C. players

Category:Watford F.C. players

Category:21st-century English sportsmen