BRADFORD, England — Sunderland winger Adam Johnson pleaded guilty in court to one count of sexual activity with a child and another of grooming.

According to The Guardian, the charges stem from Johnson seducing a 15-year-old girl over the Internet for several months in early 2015. He acknowledged meeting with her and kissing her knowing she was under 16, the age of consent.

The 28-year-old Johnson denied two charges of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16 as he appeared Wednesday in Bradford Crown Court on Wednesday. A trial, expected to last a couple of weeks, is set to begin Friday.

The former Manchester City player, who has made 12 appearances for England, joined Sunderland in 2012 for 10 million pounds (now about $14.5 million). He has made four appearances this season while dealing with injuries.

With AP