What next for shamed football star Adam Johnson? We look at his limited options
The former Sunderland winger had an appeal against his conviction for sexual activity with a child rejected on Thursday
Katie Collings
Disgraced footballer Adam Johnson has lost an appeal against his conviction for sexual activity with a 15-year-old fan.
The former Sunderland ace's bid was dismissed by three judges in the Court of Appeal in London on Thursday.
The 29-year-old also failed in his challenge to have his sentence reduced.
The ex-winger, who also played for Manchester City, has served almost one year behind bars so far after being convicted of sexual activity with the besotted young girl.
Johnson admitted grooming the victim and one count of sexual activity with a child before his trial began at Bradford Crown Court in February last year.
He was cleared of one further count of sexual activity with a child by the jury.
But now that Johnson is facing years in HMP Moorland, what is next for the shamed star?
What has life been like for him behind bars?
After his sentencing Johnson was held at HMP Leeds, also known as Armley, and it was thought that he may be transferred closer to home to HMP Frankland in County Durham. However he was moved to HMP Moorland in Doncaster in April 2016. It was then reported that he had landed his first job in prison working as a hairdresser for £20-a-week.
Adam Johnson's mansion still hasn't sold - eight months after £1.7m home was put on the market
Reports also emerged that he had been attacked by another inmate in May 2016 but his sister Faye Johnson rubbished the rumours tweeting: "You will all hear the truth when Adam comes home!"
How much longer will he serve in prison?
Johnson was sentenced to six years in custody on March 24 last year. In the UK, when a defendant is sent to prison, they usually only serve half of that sentence behind bars and the rest on licence - if they behave.
This means that if Johnson keeps his nose clean while he is locked up, he could be out by March 2019. However, he must then adhere to certain bail conditions and commit no further crimes or he could be sent back to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.
How old will he be?
Former Sunderland footballer Adam Johnson (Image: 2015 Getty Images)
Johnson is currently 29 and will turn 30 in July this year meaning he would be approaching 32 if he were to be released half way through his sentence.
What will his options be?
Before his arrest, Johnson was at the height of his career earning £60,000 a week playing for Sunderland AFC.
He was dropped by the club after immediately admitting his crimes and lost that lucrative income.
He also lost contracts and sponsorship deals such as one he held with Adidas and was faced with paying hefty legal bills after his trial meaning his bank balance may be a far cry from what he was used to upon his release.
Disgraced former footballer Adam Johnson loses appeal over child sex conviction
The Professional Footballers' Association chairman Gordon Taylor said that Johnson had now "damaged the reputation of football" and that his chances of playing again were "very remote".
Joanne Stronach, an employment law partner from Burnetts Solicitors in Gosforth, Newcastle, said: "It is going to be difficult for Adam Johnson to carry on with public life."
She said his conviction for sexual activity with a child will never be spent.
She added: "Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, it must be declared every time he applies for a new job, whether paid or voluntary.
"His suitability for a continued career in football is questionable, most clubs are working hard to develop younger talent and his involvement would certainly create safeguarding issues; it would also be difficult to justify his place as a role model.
"Finding work at all will be hard - any employer would be well within their rights to refuse him a position."
So it looks very unlikely that Johnson will ever be able to play for a Premier League team in the UK again after his release but could he play in another country?
Adam Johnson (Image: 2015 Sunderland AFC)
There is a possibility that he could sign for a club overseas such as in China or the Middle East, according to Sports experts.
Where will he live?
Johnson has never spoken about his plans following his sentence but he previously lived in Castle Eden, County Durham, close to his hometown of Easington.
He put his £1.85m mansion up for sale after his conviction but, as of now, it has not budged - even with £150,000 knocked off the price.
Whether he will return to his luxury home when he is released, if it still hasn't sold, remains to be seen.
HMP Frankland
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