Disgraced football star Adam Johnson is engaged to his partner, seven years after his release from prison. The former Manchester City and Sunderland winger is now planning his wedding.
Johnson was jailed in 2016 for grooming and sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl, serving three years of his six-year sentence. He has now proposed to long-time partner Stacey Flounders, who initially ended their relationship shortly after he was charged.
Wedding Plans and Family Support
An insider told The Sun: "Stacey and her inner circle have put Adam's time behind bars well behind them and are really excited for the next chapter of their lives. Their family and friends are over the moon for them and wedding planning is in full swing."
The source added: "They've been through a lot as a family and this feels like the perfect way to leave the memory of the hard times in the past and focus on a happy future with their two kids."
Background and Rekindled Relationship
Flounders, 36, was pregnant with the pair's daughter, Ayla, in 2014, as Johnson began contact with the teenage girl. They ended their union ahead of his court case when Johnson confessed to cheating with at least 12 other women.
Court details revealed that Johnson and the girl had exchanged 834 WhatsApp messages, and that the girl had informed Johnson she was in Year 10 at school. Information about their meetings and sexual activity in his car was also made public.
Life After Prison
After being released from prison, Johnson said: "I am very sorry for the effect my conduct had on those directly and indirectly involved. It should never have happened and I deeply regret what I did."
He added: "I now want to concentrate on the future and want to demonstrate through my actions that I am committed to repaying them for their support."
Flounders and Johnson are believed to have rekindled their relationship in 2020 and welcomed their second child a year later. The former air hostess told the Daily Mail in 2019 that she didn't believe he was a paedophile, saying: "To be honest, I don't see Adam as a paedophile. For me, a paedophile is somebody who abuses tiny young children. I think that he was a sex addict. He told me he was a sex addict."
Financial Situation
During his time at City, Johnson lived in a £4million mansion that previously belonged to Cristiano Ronaldo and earned £80,000 per week. While the premature end of his football career is believed to have cost him around £10m in earnings and sponsorship deals, he had already made enough to be financially secure for life.
Having previously lived in a £1.8m six-bedroom property in a private community, they downsized to a £470,000 home. It's believed that Johnson doesn't work and has been spotted playing golf at his local club.
An unnamed family member told the Mail: "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."
