SUNDERLAND midfielder Adam Johnson has been charged with three counts of sexual activity with a girl under 16.

Johnson has also been charged with one count of sexual grooming.

He is due to appear at Peterlee Magistrates Court on Wednesday, May 20 - the day Sunderland are due to play at Arsenal in what could be a crucial match in their battle for Premier League survival.

A statement from Durham Police said: "Adam Johnson, a professional footballer aged 27 from Castle Eden, County Durham, has this afternoon been charged with three offences of sexual activity with a child under 16 years old, plus one offence of grooming.

"Johnson was initially arrested on Monday, March 2 and was charged after he answered his police bail today at Peterlee police station.

"He will appear the magistrates court in Peterlee on the morning of Wednesday, May 20."

The force has also reiterated the fact that it is illegal to publicly identify someone alleged to be the victim of a sexual offence.

A spokesman said: "Victims of sexual assault are guaranteed the legal right to lifetime anonymity and publishing any details, including on social media, which may lead to their identification, is contrary to the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992.

"Durham Constabulary wishes to remind social media users, and anyone else, who breaks the law that they will be dealt with robustly."

Johnson had arrived at Peterlee police station to answer bail following his arrest on suspicion of sexual activity with a girl under 16.

Accompanied by a lawyer he made his way into the station under the glare of a waiting group of local and national media.

The England international was questioned last month following an allegation involving a girl who is believed to be 15-years-old.

Police arrested the 27-year-old on March 2 at his home address in Castle Eden on suspicion of sexual activity with a girl under 16.

Johnson was initially suspended by the club, pending the outcome of the police investigation, but has since returned to play for the Black Cats.

The player, wearing a black tracksuit, arrived in a 4x4 car with his lawyer and declined to answer reporters’ questions as he made his way into the police station.

He left about 20 minutes later without commenting.

Sunderland AFC has yet to comment on the latest development regarding Johnson, who signed from Manchester City in 2012.

The alleged offences involve one girl, who was aged 15 at the time, and date from December 30 to February 26, just five days before the player was arrested.

Gerry Wareham, CPS Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North-East, said: "We have reviewed the available evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and concluded that there is a realistic prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest to charge Adam Johnson with one offence of meeting a child following sexual grooming, contrary to Section 15 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and three offences of sexual activity with a child, contrary to Section 9 of the Sexual Offence Act 2003."

He added: “May I remind all concerned that the defendant has a right to a fair trial. It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.

“I would also remind people that the complainant in this case is entitled to lifelong anonymity under the law. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."