Adam Johnson: Update Emerges on What's Happened to Disgraced Football Star

· GiveMeSport

The former England, Sunderland and Manchester City star, now 38, left prison seven years ago.

An update has emerged in 2026 on what's happened to disgraced football star Adam Johnson, seven years after he left prison.

In 2015, former Middlesbrough, Manchester City and Sunderland winger Johnson was arrested and charged over sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl. A year later, he was found guilty and sentenced to six years in prison.

Johnson, who played 12 times for England between 2010 and 2012, was 28 years old at the time of his incarceration. He spent three years in prison before being released in 2019.

Now 39 years old, Johnson never returned to professional football and lives a very quiet life.

Johnson's actions cost him a huge amount of money, around £10m in earnings and sponsorship deals, according to the Daily Mail. However, he earned so much during his 12-year professional football career that he does not need to work for the remainder of his life.

The Englishman, who was born in Sunderland, still lives in the north-east. He bought a detached house in the area for £470,000 in 2021 and lives there with his girlfriend and two children. Prior to that, he had lived in Tollgate Lodge, but sold it in 2017 for £1.7m to iconic England cricketer Ben Stokes while he was in prison.

As of July 2026, Johnson keeps a low profile and spends most of his time playing golf at his local course. It is claimed, though, that some members 'have felt uneasy at his presence in the bar.'

Away from the golf course, the parent of two is a regular on the school run. Parents at the school say he rarely mingles at the gate, though, preferring to remain in his BMW.

Johnson is also said to avoid clubs and bars in towns where he knows he will be recognised, instead tending to socialise in quiet country pubs.

The 39-year-old is happy, according to his aunt, Irene Welsh, who said:

> "Adam is happy and he's been able to rebuild his life after everything he has been through. He has been back with Stacey for a while now and they concentrate on their children.

> "He keeps himself busy and has a lot of friends. He likes his golf and being with his family, and he has a close family around him."

Johnson and his girlfriend, Stacey Flounders, initially separated after he was sent to prison. The two later reconciled after he was released, and in 2021 she gave birth to their second child. The two are still together today.

An unnamed family member said money would have been a key factor in them getting back together. They said:

> "Money will have played a part. He hasn't worked since he ended his football career. He put away enough money during his playing career that they can live a very good lifestyle without worrying. They have a nice life, the children won't want for anything."

One of Flounders' friends from her schooldays has said they 'are a happy family'. She said: "Stacey knows her own mind and grew up in a very close family and, if anything persuaded her to give him another chance, it will have been to give their children a stable upbringing.

> "After he was released it didn't look as though they were going to get back together, but the pandemic struck a year after he got out and that gradually changed things."

> "He was anxious to make up for lost time with his daughter, having missed the early part of her life in jail. He's a committed dad and that's why they were able to try again. They now have a second child and they are very much a happy family."

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