Disgraced former footballer Adam Johnson has reportedly become engaged to his partner Stacey Flounders, seven years after his release from prison, with the pair now making plans for their wedding. The ex-Manchester City and Sunderland winger was sentenced to prison in 2016, serving three years of a six-year term after being convicted of grooming and engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.
Wedding Plans Underway
Johnson has now proposed to his long-term partner Stacey Flounders, according to The Sun, who initially ended their relationship shortly after he was charged with the offences.
A source 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."
"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 of the Relationship
Flounders, 36, was pregnant with the couple's daughter, Ayla, in 2014, at the time Johnson began making contact with the teenage victim. The pair subsequently split ahead of his court case, after Johnson admitted to being unfaithful with at least 12 other women.
Court documents revealed that Johnson and the girl had exchanged 834 WhatsApp messages, during which she had informed him she was in Year 10 at school. Details of their encounters and sexual activity in his car were also disclosed during proceedings.
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."
"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."
Reconciliation and Current Life
Flounders and Johnson are thought to have rekindled their romance in 2020, welcoming their second child together the following year. The former air hostess stated she did not consider him a paedophile, telling the Daily Mail in 2019 that she believed he was a sex addict.
She said: "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."
Following his release, a reconciliation appeared unlikely, yet the pandemic arrived a year after he was freed and gradually altered the situation.
During his time at City, Johnson resided in a £4million mansion previously owned by ex-Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, earning £80,000 per week. While the abrupt conclusion of his footballing career is estimated to have cost him roughly £10m in earnings and sponsorship deals, he had already accumulated sufficient wealth to remain financially comfortable for life.
Having previously occupied a £1.8m six-bedroom property within a private community, the couple moved to a more modest £470,000 home. It is understood that Johnson remains unemployed 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."
