England soccer star, Adam Johnson, has pleaded guilty to grooming and sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl on the first day of his trial.
At Bradford Crown Court, the 28-year-old Sunderland star admitted one count of sexual activity with a girl under 16 and a further count of grooming after being arraigned on the charges.
The footballer, who has earned 12 caps for his country, continues to deny two further counts of sexual activity with a child.
Adam Johnson arrives at court with girlfriend Stacey Flounders. The couple has a one-year-old daughter.
It is claimed he knew the girl was underage when he began the relationship with her in December 2014.
Weeks later, at the end of January 2015, his girlfriend Stacey Flounders, then 25, gave birth to their first child, Ayla.
The $20 million former Manchester City star was arrested in March last year after the schoolgirl went to the police.
They swooped on his $3.7 million, six-bedroom mansion and questioned him for several hours.
Johnson appeared in the dock wearing a black suit and white shirt and was flanked by a female prison officer.
He listened carefully as the proceedings got under way as six men and six women were selected to sit on the jury.
The case is due to be formally opened on Friday.
