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Adam JohnsonEnglish footballer, winger
Date of Birth: 14.07.1987
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Early Life and Academy Career
- Debut and Early Middlesbrough Career
- Loan Spells and Breakthrough
- Transfer to Manchester City
- Move to Sunderland
- Accomplishments
- International Career
Early Life and Academy Career
Born in Sunderland, Adam Johnson joined the Middlesbrough academy as a youth player, impressing scouts during a school match. He was part of a successful academy team, winning the FA Youth Cup in the 2003/04 season.
Debut and Early Middlesbrough Career
Johnson made his professional debut for Middlesbrough in the UEFA Cup on March 17, 2005, against Sporting Lisbon. He also debuted in the Premier League in a 2-1 win over Arsenal, replacing the injured Stewart Downing.
Loan Spells and Breakthrough
In October 2006, Johnson joined Leeds United on a month-long loan where he was named Man of the Match in his first game. Despite impressing, he returned to Middlesbrough. In the same season, he played a crucial role in Middlesbrough's FA Cup run, assisting and scoring a penalty in a replay against Bristol City.
He was loaned to Watford in September 2007, scoring five goals in 12 appearances before being recalled by Middlesbrough due to his impressive form. In his final game of the season, he scored in an 8-1 thrashing of Manchester City.
In the 2008/09 season, Johnson featured regularly, initially as a substitute for Downing. After Downing's serious injury, Johnson became a regular starter. He cemented his place in the team in the 2009/10 season, scoring three goals in the first three games after Downing's sale to Aston Villa.
Transfer to Manchester City
After his impressive start to the season, Johnson was linked with several Premier League clubs, including Sunderland. Despite Middlesbrough's reluctance to sell, Johnson refused to extend his contract. He moved to Manchester City for a £6 million fee on February 1, 2010.
Johnson made his debut against Hull City three days later before starting against Bolton Wanderers, earning the Man of the Match award. He scored his first goal for City against his former club Sunderland.
Move to Sunderland
In August 2012, Johnson moved to Sunderland on a four-year contract. He was valued at £10.5 million by Transfermarkt.
Accomplishments
Manchester CityPremier League Champion: 2011/12
FA Cup Winner: 2011
Scandal and Prison Sentence
In 2016, Johnson was arrested on suspicion of child sex offenses. He admitted to kissing and grooming a 15-year-old girl but denied two other charges of sexual activity with a child. Sunderland terminated his contract due to the charges.
Johnson was sentenced to six years in prison. During his time in prison, he worked as a cleaner and a barber. He unsuccessfully appealed his sentence twice, arguing that his celebrity status led to an excessively harsh punishment.
International Career
Johnson represented England at the U21 level and made his senior debut in a friendly against Mexico in 2010. He scored his first goal for England against Bulgaria in a Euro 2012 qualifier and scored again against Switzerland in a friendly.
