( CNN ) England footballer Adam Johnson has been suspended by his club Sunderland until a police investigation has been completed , the Press Association reported Monday . Sunderland 's statement made no mention of why Johnson had been arrested , but earlier on Monday , a northeast England police force confirmed a 27-year-old man was in custody `` on suspicion of sexual activity with a girl under 16 , '' though Durham Constabulary would not confirm if the individual in question was the Sunderland player . `` He remains in police custody and is helping officers with their inquiries , '' added the statement , referring to the 27-year-old man . `` Sunderland AFC has confirmed that Adam Johnson has been suspended from the club , pending the outcome of a police investigation . No further comment will be made at the present time , '' the club told the Press Association . English Premier League club Sunderland refused to comment when contacted by CNN over the arrest of the 27-year-old Johnson . The last of his 12 international appearances for the senior England team was in August 2012 . He started his career with Sunderland 's local rival Middlesbrough , making his debut at the age of 17 , and was sold to Manchester City for a reported fee of £7 million ( $ 10.8 million ) in early 2010 . Johnson helped City to win the 2011-12 Premier League title but was bought by his hometown team Sunderland for a reported £10 million ( $ 15.3 million ) at the start of the following season .
A 27-year-old man arrested on `` suspicion of sexual activity '' with a 15-year-old girl . British media report the man in question is England footballer Adam Johnson . Johnson plays for English Premier League team Sunderland .