SUNDERLAND have tonight sacked winger Adam Johnson after he pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.

Follow the trial of Adam Johnson as he faces two counts of sexual activity with a child

The Black Cats issued a short statement which said: "In light of Adam Johnson's guilty pleas, the club has today terminated his contract with immediate effect.

"The club will make no further comment."

Their decision comes just a day after the father-of-one appeared at Bradford Crown Court where he admitted grooming, kissing and touching the schoolgirl on January 30 last year.

The 28-year-old, arrested at his Castle Eden home in March last year, admitted having met or communicated with the child on at least two previous occasions without "reasonably believing she was aged 16 or over".

He denies two further offences, relating to serious sexual activity with the girl in the north Durham area on the same date.

The Northern Echo:

Adam Johnson pictured at Bradford Crown Court

A trial, which is expected to last more than a week, is due to start tomorrow (Friday, February 12).

Sunderland are understood to have been shocked at Wednesday's guilty pleas, having allowed their £10 million signing from Manchester City to resume his career after initially suspending him following his arrest.

He moved to Manchester City before signing for Sunderland for £10m in 2012.

The news came just hours after boot sponsor Adidas announced they had terminated their contract with Johnson in a brief statement.

An Adidas spokesman said: "We've terminated Adam Johnson's contract with immediate effect following his guilty plea on Wednesday. We've issued letters and verbally confirmed that with his management."

Johnson, who reportedly earns £2.6m a year and has 12 England caps, was brought up in Easington and played for Cleveland Juniors and attended Newcastle United's Centre for Excellence before beginning his career at Middlesbrough, making his first team debut at the age of 17.

He moved to Manchester City before signing for Sunderland in 2012.

Black Cats boss Sam Allardyce had earlier confirmed that the England winger  would not be involved in the squad for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United.

Earlier in the day police warned social media users not to identify the victim in Johnson’s criminal trial.

In a post on its website under the title ‘Adam Johnson case’, Durham Police said it reiterated that anyone who identifies someone who may or may not be a victim of a sexual offence is committing a criminal act.

It added: “Victims of sexual assault are guaranteed the legal right to lifetime anonymity and publishing any details, including on social media, which may lead to their identification, is contrary to the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992.

“Durham Constabulary wishes to remind social media users and anyone else who breaks the law that they will be dealt with robustly.”