England footballer Adam Johnson arrested on suspicion of having sex with 15-year-old girl after police raid his £1.5million mansion

Arrested footballer: Adam Johnson, 27, pictured with his 25-year-old girlfriend Stacey Flounders

England footballer Adam Johnson was today arrested on suspicion of having sex with a 15-year-old girl.

The £50,000-a-week Sunderland winger was arrested at his home this morning, where police are said to have found a legally-owned loaded gun during their search of the property.

Neighbours said they assumed the 27-year-old footballer’s £1.5million property in County Durham had been burgled when they saw activity outside the sprawling mansion.

The Sun quoted local residents who said that scenes of crime officers searched a triple garage in the two-acre grounds of the property after arriving shortly after 9am.

A Durham Police spokesman said: 'A 27-year-old man was arrested earlier today on suspicion of sexual activity with a girl under 16.

'He remains in police custody and is helping officers with their enquiries.'

Johnson - who became a father in January - was born in Sunderland and brought up in Easington, County Durham.

He began his career at Middlesbrough before moving to Manchester City and then to Sunderland for £10million, where he is now playing his third season.

He played for England's under-19s team and the under-21s before being called up to the senior squad under manager Fabio Capello. 

Residence: Neighbours said they assumed the 27-year-old footballer’s £1.5million property in County Durham (above) had been burgled when they saw activity outside the sprawling mansion

Johnson, 27, is currently playing for Sunderland and has made 12 appearances for the England team

Johnson - who has won the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield - made his England debut in May 2010 and has since played 12 games for his country, scoring two goals.

It is believed he lives at the property, which was searched today, with his long-term girlfriend Stacey Flounders, 25.

A Sunderland AFC spokesman said: ‘Sunderland AFC has confirmed that Adam Johnson has been suspended from the club, pending the outcome of a police investigation.’ 

The arrest comes ahead of England's planned European Championship qualifiers against Lithuania and Italy later this month.

Discussions: Adam Johnson (left) is joined by Frank Lampard (centre) while speaking to the Duchess of Cambridge (right) at the England training facility at St George's Park in Burton upon Trent in October 2012

Johnson had been due to travel with the rest of the squad to Humberside this afternoon for tomorrow night's Barclays Premier League fixture at Hull. 

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 states that anyone found guilty of sexual activity with a child under 16 can be sentenced to a maximum of 14 years in prison. 

In 2010 it was claimed that Johnson and fellow Manchester City player Micah Richards spent £12,000 on a charity auction prize of taking glamour model Katie Price on a date.

Then last August, Price nominated Johnson for the ice bucket challenge in aid of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) charities - along with Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince Harry.

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Former Middlesbrough star: Adam Johnson has represented England at senior level 12 times

Adam Johnson began his career at Middlesbrough, where he made his debut in a Uefa Cup game in 2005, aged just 17.

Almost six months later, he turned out for the first time in the Premier League, taking part in a 2-1 home win against Arsenal.

He was loaned out to Leeds United then Watford, scoring 12 goals in his three-month stay at the Hertfordshire club.

On his return to Middlesbrough, he again showed strong form, then made a £7million move to Manchester City in February 2010.

In three seasons at the Etihad Stadium, the speedy winger made 97 appearances, helping win the Barclays Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield.

In August 2012 he moved back to his native North East, to Sunderland, in a £10million deal, and highlights of his time there have included a hat-trick on January 11 last year in a 4-1 away win over Fulham.

He said after taking the match ball as a memento: ‘These days don't come along too often unless you're Messi or Ronaldo, so it was nice for me to get that ball as a souvenir to look back on.

‘This is up there with one of my best days of my career along with playing for England, scoring for England.’

He was awarded the Barclays Player of the Month award that month.

The 27-year-old has represented England at under-19 and under-21 level, and at senior level 12 times, the last of them in a friendly victory over Italy in August 2012.

He has struggled to reproduce his best form on a sustained basis at Sunderland, but endeared himself to the fans with goals in each of the club's three derby victories at Newcastle in as many seasons, including a late winner at St James' Park on December 21 last year.

Derby win: Winger Johnson scored a late winner against Newcastle United at St James' Park last December