Adam Johnson
Sunderland's Adam Johnson denies two further counts of sexual activity with a child Getty Images/Laurence Griffiths

Sunderland footballer Adam Johnson has pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of grooming over the internet. The 28-year-old England international has denied a further two charges of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16 at Bradford Crown Court.

The sexual activity offences are alleged to involve a 15-year-old girl in January 2015, while the meeting of a child after sexual grooming offence was said to have happened between December 2014 and February 2015.

Johnson has continued to play for Sunderland while proceedings were ongoing and scored in their 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday (6 February). Johnson, who has previously played for Manchester City and Middlesbrough, has been capped 12 times for England, scoring two goals. The case continues.