Disgraced football paedophile Adam Johnson wants to join Hartlepool United after he is released from prison.
The ex-Sunderland and Man City star is thought to have turned down a move to China and has been linked to Hartlepool United, who currently play in the National League.
An insider told The Sun on Sunday: ‘Adam has told people that Hartlepool is a likely destination.’
Johnson was jailed for six years for child sex offences in March 2016 but could be entitled for parole in March 2019.
Adam Johnson, pictured outside court, was jailed for six years for child sex offences in March 2016
Adam Johnson and his now ex-girlfriend Stacey Flounders arriving at Bradford Crown Court in February 2016
Faye Johnson (pictured) posted a screenshot on Twitter in September saying that her son was starting year three – which is the year he should be in when he brother is released
The shamed footballer, groomed and then met a besotted 15-year-old fan and sexually assaulted her in his car in a secluded spot in County Durham.
He previously earned £60,000-a-week and has a daughter, Ayla, with his former girlfriend Stacey Flounders, with whom he lived with in a £2million property in Country Durham before his conviction.
It is thought he is keen to build bridges with his ex-partner on his release from prison.
Despite being linked to Hartlepool United, a source has claimed Johnson is ‘very unlikely’ to resume his career at the fifth tier English side.
Earlier this month his sister Faye Johnson said the ‘count down is on’ for Johnson to be released from prison.
Faye Johnson posted a screenshot on Twitter in September saying that her son was starting year three – which is the year he should be in when he brother is released.
Shamed footballer Adam Johnson’s sister Faye Johnson has previously posted countdowns to her brother’s release
Faye tweeted: ‘I remember 2 and a half years ago I said that @lucas11johno would be in year 3 when @a.johnson came home!
‘I now have a year 3 child and the count down is on till my brother is home.
‘6 months to go.’
Faye has previously posted other countdowns to her brother’s release, including one on her son’s seventh birthday.
She wrote in April: ‘7 year [sic] ago the most adorable little boy came into my life!
‘Happy birthday lucas This time next year uncle Adam will be celebrating with us.’
When Johnson was first jailed at Bradford Crown Court he was initially sent to Armley Prison, Leeds, but later transferred to a Category C jail as prison officials feared for his safety as a high-profile sex offender.
Moorland, in South Yorkshire, is one of the UK’s most modern prisons and inmates have access to an all-weather football pitch, a games room and a gym.
Most of the inmates have their own rooms with a toilet and some even have access to a PlayStation.