Club forced to deny claims they’re in talks with Adam Johnson over move

An English side have been forced to deny rumours that they are in talks to sign convicted paedophile Adam Johnson upon his release from prison

In February 2016, Johnson was found guilty of one count of sexual activity with a 15-year-old Sunderland fan and was sentenced to six years in prison in March 2016. However, his sister recently took to social media to say that she was excited about his impending release in "six months". She tweeted: "The count down is on till my brother is home. Six months to go." This has led to speculation over whether Johnson will seek to continue his playing career upon his release, with reports suggesting that he had earmarked the United States and China as potential destinations. A move to Major League Soccer is extremely unlikely however due to strict visa laws which would almost certainly prevent the sex offender from entering the country. The links to Hartlepool appear to come from Johnson's relationship with the club's manager Matthew Bates, who came through the Middlesbrough youth team alongside the former winger. Hartlepool United however denied the rumours, saying: “It’s news to us and we are not aware of any conversations that have been had.”