Adam Johnson

At 36 years old, Adam Johnson has this physical status:

Adam Johnson (born 14 July 1987) is an English professional footballer and convicted sex offender who plays as a winger.

He came to prominence after making his debut in a UEFA Cup match aged 17.

He made 120 appearances for Middlesbrough while still on loan at Leeds United and Watford. In February 2010, he moved to Manchester City, where he won the FA Cup and the Premier League followed season.

In 2012, he was signed by his hometown team Sunderland for £10 million.

Johnson starred for England at various times, receiving 12 caps at senior level. Johnson was arrested and charged with sexual conduct with a 15-year-old teen in March 2015, with England's age of consent being 16.

During his release, Johnson continued to play for Sunderland.

He pleaded guilty to two charges against him in February, one being a child grooming scam, and was then dismissed by Sunderland.

Johnson was found guilty of sexual assault with a child in March 2016 and sentenced to six years in jail.

He was released in 2019 after serving half of his term.

Early life

Johnson was born in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, and grew up in County Durham, North East England's Easington. He competed for Cleveland Juniors Football Club and Easington Community Science College. Johnny Haynes told Johnson that he was "a superb little player" with "a lovely left foot" after watching Johnson score two goals in a Wembley Stadium seven-a-side school match.

Personal life

Johnson spent time in school and the Sunderland and Middlesbrough academies, as well as Dale Roberts, who went on to play as a goalkeeper. Roberts committed suicide on December 14, 2010, which Johnson later described as "the worst day of my life."

Johnson lived in Castle Eden, County Durham, prior to his detention. He has a son who was born in January 2015 with his ex-girlfriend, Stacey Flounders. Flounders admitted that she and Johnson had separated in February 2016, claiming that he confessed to infidelity with other people. He sold Tollgate Lodge, his house, during his time in prison in 2017 for £1.7 million. It was purchased by Durham and England cricketer Ben Stokes. Following his release from jail, he returned to live in Castle Eden in a seven-bedroom house that he had rented during his detention.

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Club career

Johnson was accepted by Middlesbrough's youth academy at the age of 12, having previously attended Newcastle United's Centre of Excellence between 1995 and 1997. He and his Boro colleagues David Wheater, Tony McMahon, and Andrew Taylor were among the squad that defeated the 2003–04 FA Youth Cup.

In the 1–0 loss to Sporting CP, the club lost 4–2 on aggregate in the last 16, losing Doriva for the last 11 minutes on aggregate. He made his senior debut on March 17 in 2005. In a 2–1 home victory over Arsenal almost six months later, he made his Premier League debut and his first senior appearance, deputizing for the injured fellow academy product Stewart Downing. He was mainly on the bench as an unused substitute in the UEFA Cup games for the first half of the 2005-06 season. In a 2–0 victory over Massimo Maccarone's second goal in his second appearance in the competition against Litex Lovech on December 15th. He remained in the team's matchday squads for the remainder of the season, albeit as Downing's replacement or an ineffective replacement.

Johnson's first goal for Middlesbrough came in a Premier League match against Bolton Wanderers on May 3rd, with "a tumultuous run from the left flank before curling in a deflected shot." He was playing due to Middlesbrough's appearance in the 2006 UEFA Cup Final, which was to be played a week later by Steve McClaren, who rested the majority of the first team squad. He signed a new four-year contract extension on June 30, 2006.

On October 16, 2006, he signed Leeds United on a month-long loan after being signed by Leeds' caretaker boss John Carver, but it was impossible for Johnson to impress, despite winning the Man of the Match award on his debut. Johnson returned to Middlesbrough after playing four matches during his month-long loan spell, although Leeds chose not to extend his loan. Later this season, he came on as a replacement in the FA Cup replay with Bristol City and was instrumental in Middlesbrough's promotion by setting up one goal and scoring the winning penalty in the shootout.

Johnson joined Watford in September 2007 on a three-month loan. He appeared in 12 games for the club, scoring five times, before being called to Middlesbrough earlier than agreed in the contract. Watford's form was notably marred after he was fired.

He scored an 18-yard penalty from a loose ball just minutes after being recalled as a replacement in Boro's 8–1 victory over Manchester City. In the 2008-09 season, he made 32 appearances, half of which as replacements, as Downing was first choice. When Downing was barred from playing due to a long-term injury, he was able to start the majority of the games near the end of the season.

Following Downing's transfer to Aston Villa, Johnson was a key member of Boro's Championship team for the 2009–10 season, scoring three of Boro's five goals in the first three games. Despite being a winger, Boro's entire first half of the season was on point, with eight goals leading to new boss Gordon Strachan's worry about overrelying on Johnson for goals. He missed a penalty on Rhys Williams for a foul, and he added another after being tripped by the Scunthorpe goalkeeper in the penalty box as both went for the rebound.

After a promising start to the season, the highly rated youngster became a victim of transfer rumors, but Boro bosses insisted that he would not be sold. He refused to prolong his employment, but it was likely to come to an end after the 2009–10 season. He was called back to Marvin Emnes after suffering a hamstring injury in the 1–0 home loss to Cardiff City, but he recovered to score a penalty against Scunthorpe on December 13, taking his goal total to double figures. For the third time this season, he produced a brace against Doncaster Rovers on January 26th, putting an end to Boro's winless away streak dating back to October.

Johnson was selected for the North East Football Writers' Young Player of the Year award for his regular performances, leading a number of Boro players to do so.

Johnson was still the subject of transfer rumors when the winter transfer window opened, and Middlesbrough reportedly received a bid from Manchester City. Manchester City's interest in the FA Cup third round had been heightened after Adam Johnson played City just weeks before. Although Johnson was forced to miss the first half due to injury, he was still the best player on the field during his 30-minute tenure. On a four-and-a-half year deal, City signed him for an undisclosed fee, rumored to be in the region of £7 million.

On February 6, Johnson made his first appearance for the club, playing as a replacement for Stephen Ireland against Hull City. He made his first appearance against Bolton Wanderers on the right side of a three-man team match with Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor, finishing as the man of the match. Johnson scored his first goal against Sunderland, putting a left footed kick into the top corner one and a half minutes into injury time to bring a last-gasp 1–1 draw. England boss Fabio Capello had to publicly praise him and recommend him for selection despite his performance, which earned the man of the match award.

In the 1–0 win over Blackpool on New Year's Day, he named his goal to Dale Roberts, his companion, and Rushden & Diamonds goalkeeper who died on December 14, 2010. He retired with his first senior trophy of his career, the 2011 FA Cup, and then appeared as a backup in the final.

He started in Manchester City's first Premier League match of the season against Inter Milan and League of Ireland XI in the pre-season, scoring in two 3–0 victories against Inter Milan and League of Ireland XI. Edin Deko returned his shot to him after scoring in two 3–0 victories in the pre-season Dublin Super Cup. City went on to win the match by 4–0. During a 4–0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, he scored his first goal of the season, curling a shot into the top corner to tie the score 1–0 at the time. In the upcoming match against Aston Villa, he scored with a goal, with the game ending 4–1 to City. In a 5–2 League Cup victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on October 26, 2011, he scored and received an assist. He scored against Wolves three days later, this time in a 3–1 home league win. He scored in the next round and played a through-ball for Sergio Agüero in a 1–0 victory over Arsenal. In a 5–1 home win over Norwich City, he came as a late sub and scored his fifth goal of the season. In a 3–0 victory over Stoke City on December 21, his sixth goal of the season came in a 3–0 win. In a 6–1 victory over Norwich at Carrow Road on April 14, he scored in a 6–1 win. Manchester City won the 2011–12 Premier League in a thrilling fashion on the last day of the season, with a 26-year-old record.

Sunderland, his hometown team, took over Johnson on a four-year deal for £10 million on August 24, 2012. "Adding quality players to the squad has been our primary goal this summer," Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill said, and Adam certainly fits the bill. He has a natural talent, great execution, and I'm sure he'll be a favorite of the fans. "I couldn't be more thrilled to have him at the club" Johnson scored in the League Cup second round on Sunday, beating Morecambe 2–0 in his first appearance for Sunderland, assisting both goals at the Stadium of Light. In a 1–2 loss to Everton, he scored his first goal for the club on November 10th, opening the scoring. On December 26, he scored his only goal of a victory over former Manchester City. Johnson collected the ball on Sunderland's right and cut inside before firing a curling kick past Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot with his left foot to score in April 2013.

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. However, his form slowed as Sunderland faded to one point from the first eight matches, a run that cost manager Paolo Di Canio's job. In a 2–1 home loss to Tottenham on December 7, Johnson's next goal came in a 2–1 home loss.

The FA Cup third round match against Carlisle United marked a turning point for Johnson's career after he missed his place in the starting line up, as he scored a free kick and was involved in both other goals in Sunderland's 3-1 victory. Two days later, Johnson was brought on as a replacement in the League Cup first leg against Manchester United, and he 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. Gus Poyet lauded Johnson's 'outstanding' contribution. He scored his first hat-trick and assisted Ki Sung-Yueng, boosting Sunderland to a 4-1 victory over Fulham, which put them off the bottom of the table. He was named Premier League Player of the Month for January 2014. Borini was assisting him in the opening minute in the tenth minute of the league Cup Final against Manchester City on March 2nd, but Sunderland lost 1–3.

In the League Cup against Birmingham City on August 27, where he scored his second goal in a 3–0 victory. He had his first goal of the 2014–15 season. He scored a solo goal in a 2–2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light on September 13th, his first league goal of the season. He scored his 90th-minute winning goal against Newcastle on December 21, securing Sunderland's fourth straight victory over their local rivals and third goal against Newcastle in three seasons. Johnson started the scoring after just 30 seconds against Hull City, but the team was unable to help the team prevent defeat after losing 1–3. On New Years Day 2015, he scored on a penalty to make the score 2–2 against Manchester City, but Sunderland would win the game 3–2.

After being arrested on suspicion of sexual misconduct with a 15-year-old teen, he was immediately suspended by Sunderland on March 2, 2015. Johnson was suspended for two games under Gus Poyet's leadership, and after Poyet's dismissal and the installation of new manager Dick Advocaat on March 17, the club's new manager, Dick Advocaat, returned to the club on March 18th and appeared in the club's next game on March 21. Despite being charged with three criminal charges later, Sunderland continued to select him after he initially refused to all charges. During Johnson's appeal, he admitted to Sunderland in May 2015 that he kissed the child and sent her sexually explicit messages.

Johnson suffered with an injury in August 2015, effectively ending his season for the first time. In the Tyne-Wear derby on October 25, he scored a penalty, triggering the scoring before halftime in an eventual 3–0 victory. Johnson played in what was supposed to be his last game for Sunderland on February 6, 2016, the weekend before his hearing, scoring one of Sunderland's goals in a 2–2 draw with Liverpool. After pleaded guilty to sexual assault with a child under the age of 16 and grooming, five days later, Johnson had his deal ended.

International career

Johnson, a former England under-19 international, was selected for the Under-21 squad at the 2009 UEFA U21 Championships in Sweden. As the Young Lions barely won 5–4 on aggregate to qualify for the tournament, he scored once in qualification and again in the first leg of the qualification play-offs against Wales U21s. He appeared in two of the three group stage matches during the tournament. In the semi-final shoot-out victory over Sweden, he received the man of the match award in the final group stage match against Germany, which ended in a 1–1 draw and converted his penalty.

Johnson was included 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 it to the final 23. Capello named Johnson in his preliminary 30-man 2010 FIFA World Cup squad two months later. On May 24, Johnson made his England debut in a FIFA World Cup warm-up match against Mexico at Wembley Stadium, defeating Mexico 3–1 for the first time. Johnson came on as a late replacement for James Milner. Capello named his final 23-man squad the following week, but Johnson failed to make the cut.

At Wembley Stadium, England's first match since the 2010 FIFA World Cup was against Hungary was against Hungary. Johnson was named in the starting line-up for the first time, marking his complete England debut and playing the entire match. In a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria on September 3, 2010, he scored his first international goal against Bulgaria, which England defeated 4–0. In a 3–1 victory over Switzerland, he scored his second international goal after being a late replacement for the injured Theo Walcott. In total, he made five appearances in qualifying as England progressed to the finals of UEFA Euro 2012 in London.

In February 2012, Fabio Capello resigned as England coach, and Stuart Pearce took over temporary charge. Johnson was the England manager of Pearce's only match as England manager, losing by 2–3 at the hands of the Netherlands. Johnson was not chosen in Hodgson's 23-man squad for UEFA Euro 2012, but was named on standby in the event of injury. He played 12 England caps and scored two international goals.

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