ENGLAND cricketer Ben Stokes has bought disgraced footballer Adam Johnson’s County Durham mansion for £1.7 million.

It is understood the 26-year-old had negotiated a deal on the plush five-bedroom home in Castle Eden, near Peterlee, which Johnson initially put on the market for £1.85million.

Former Sunderland star Johnson, 29, is currently serving a six year prison sentence for grooming and later engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old fan.

It is believed the father-of-one wanted to sell the home he shared with ex-girlfriend Stacey Flounders after learning he was not able to appeal against his sentence.

The Daily Mirror reported it was Stokes who purchased the property from the former footballer, who also played for England and Manchester City.

Johnson paid £1,575,000 for the luxury home back in 2012.

Stokes, who plays for Durham, is thought to have moved into the 2.2-acre property, which has a spiral staircase and Italian stone flooring, over the weekend.

The mansion comes with a triple garage and also has a one-bedroom self-contained apartment above it, which has its own living room and shower room.

The property has a games room, a drawing room and there is a large gymnasium on the first floor while a film-themed room is decorated with a mural of Hollywood stars.

Stokes posted a message to his 254,000 followers on Twitter to thank removal company, Pickfords, for their help.

The England all-rounder wrote: 'Huge thanks to these men for the hard work on helping us move house @Pickfords.'

Stokes has already played 32 tests for England, scoring 1,902 runs, an average of 33.96, and he has also taken 79 wickets.