Adam Johnson will not have to wear an electronic ankle tag if he manages to secure a return to football - but he will find English clubs have turned their back on him after his release from prison on Friday.
The former England international was released from HMP Moorland in the early hours of Friday morning after serving half of his six-year sentence for sexual grooming and sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.
It is understood Johnson has to meet with probation workers on Friday. He has not been issued with a criminal tag but will be subject to strict licence conditions, including keeping in touch with a supervisor and living permanently at his address.
Footballers have been required to wear security tags in the past and Jermaine Pennant became the first footballer to do so in the Premier League in 2005.
The winger, who was on loan at Birmingham City from Arsenal at the time, was tagged after being released from prison after 31 days of a three-month sentence for drink-driving.
Johnson remains on licence and, as part of his strict release conditions, will no longer be permitted to spend time alone with his daughter Ayla.
He will only be allowed to take up work if his supervisor approves it, and police will examine any overseas travel plans before he is allowed to leave the UK.
Johnson will also have more stringent conditions under the terms of the sex offenders' register, which he will sign for at least 15 years. He will also have to hand over his bank card in order to prevent him accessing paid-for porn sites.
The former England international faces an uphill battle to try to resurrect his football career.
Sportsmail contacted all League One and League Two clubs within a daily commute of Johnson’s home in County Durham and not one of them has said they would consider speaking to him.
One chief executive said he could not envisage any Football League club offering the 31-year-old a way back into the game given the nature of his conviction and the backlash it would cause.
We have also discovered that Johnson will be denied the chance of a payday in China because of strict visa requirements to work in the country.
The ex-Manchester City and Sunderland winger said during a leaked video from his time in prison that he had more hope of reviving his playing career abroad, and the likes of the Chinese Super League have been mooted.
However, we understand that players moving to China have been subject to thorough criminal records checks and have had to declare any convictions.
The same is true of America, Australia and some Middle East countries such as Saudi Arabia, meaning Johnson’s opportunities are limited.
Hebei China Fortune, the club managed by Chris Coleman, told us they would not consider signing Johnson because of his criminal record.
His situation is also complicated by him being released on license, meaning he is likely to have regular contact with the probation service and so limiting the chances of him playing overseas.
kosbmptu
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Could definitely see him playing somewhere like Thailand or something maybe even League 1 to National League level or the Scottish Championship. Fleetwood, Partick Thistle or Muangthong United. I'd put good money into one of those three. Don't why just have a hunch.
He hasnt played football for 3 years... He probably can barely kick the ball
kosbmptu
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So he gets released, why shouldnt he get to play again? He has done his time and paid for his crime. So many people on their high horses...
Having a player with criminal history hurts clubs reputation
Kroos0808
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Just in time for the FA cup final
Mustfer
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Oh Lawd he comin
Muhsina
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So he gets released, why shouldnt he get to play again? He has done his time and paid for his crime. So many people on their high horses...
Radionicse
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He could 100% find a club in the middle East somewhere I don't think they'd care at all.
inkabisst
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Adam Johnson getting off at half term once again. Madness.
wulover
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He's 31 and hasn't kicked a ball for what, 3 years? Who's gonna go for that? Plus he's a nonce
war369
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I wonder if he has any hope of a football career now or if clubs will steer clear of him.
leadership
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Any under 12’s need a coach
Kristinstucki
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In one of my FM15 saves he became Head of Youth Development.
Daesewser
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Young Boys could take him.
Hanhaar
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The word that's been flying around is that he's looking to play again. In Europe he's got no chance. But a club in the Middle East or Asia will probably take him.
Elenadover
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Now he's paid his debts to society, I sincerely hope he can move forward constructively. Keeping a permanent badge of shame and ostracism on him helps nobody.
patrhave
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He was a good player but with a three year break from the game it is almost impossible to get back to the levels of performance he was once capable of. Especially at 31 there is a good chance he has lost his pace. Does not really matter though as I doubt any club would risk the negative publicity of signing someone who is guilty of grooming a minor.
likeermen
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The time has come..Hide yo 15 yr old daughters!
jJustin
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Far too many pedo sympathisers in here for my liking. It's one of the most abhorrent crimes possible.
segeacion
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Could definitely see him playing somewhere like Thailand or something maybe even League 1 to National League level or the Scottish Championship. Fleetwood, Partick Thistle or Muangthong United. I'd put good money into one of those three. Don't why just have a hunch.
Jimmymay
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Just in time for the start of the Cambodian C-League season.
nacibill
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Be playing for Birmingham City in no time. They love signing a convict.
planning
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Gonna have to play in Malta
poniard
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Pedo’s are the most depraved members of society but context is important here. What he did was wrong of course but it’s not like he’s the next Ian Watkins. Kissing/Grooming a 15 year old girl when your in your mid twenties is wrong, of course it is, but tarring him with the same brush as more serious offenders doesn’t benefit anyone. People like to be outraged and for some reason think spouting hatred for people like Johnson makes them morally upstanding. I am in no way defending him in any way but I guarantee you he will receive more hate and public backlash than others in the public eye who commit more heinous acts, purely because he is technically a ‘pedo,’.. It’s such a gray area, when the clock strikes midnight on her 16th birthday is she suddenly sexually mature and therefore fair game? But if she’s 15 and 11 months Adam Johnson is amongst the worst scum in our society.
Everley
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So which club cares so little about their reputation and will offer him a contract?
Jirkkerr
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grabs popcorn refresh refresh
Angelnaby
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Yeah, don't let him watch the good stuff, force him to watch the average quality videos like the rest of us. That will teach him.