Sunderland have sacked Adam Johnson after the winger pleaded guilty to child sex offences earlier this week.

The 28-year-old had initially denied the charges against him, but altered his plea to guilty on one charge of sexual activity with a child and another of grooming.

Johnson's admission is understood to have shocked Sunderland, and manager Sam Allardyce earlier today confirmed that the former England international would play no part against Manchester United this weekend.

The club have now revealed the decision to terminate the winger's contract, just hours after he also saw his sponsorship with Adidas ended.

"In light of Adam Johnson's guilty pleas, the club has today terminated his contract with immediate effect. The club will make no further comment," read a statement on Sunderland's official website.

Johnson joined Sunderland from Manchester City in 2012 and went on to make 141 appearances for the club, scoring 22 goals.