Paedophile footballer Adam Johnson was expected to be released from prison overnight as his dad was spotted driving a van away from jail in the early hours.
His father was pictured behind the wheel of a blacked-out van heading towards his son's house in Castle Eden, County Durham.
Johnson, 31, has served just three years of his six-year sentence for for grooming, kissing and touching a 15-year-old girl while he played for Sunderland .
His dad David, who is also his agent, was snapped arriving at the jail in a Mercedes people carrier just after midnight.
Former England star Adam Johnson's ex had abortion after his sexual activity with teen fan
It has been reported that even after leaving prison Johnson will not be able to see his daughter alone.
Former Manchester City flier Johnson will only be able to see Ayla, four, while with a social worker.
Disgraced Johnson will also reportedly need to hand over his bank card to prevent him accessing paid-for porn sites, and could be instructed to surrender his phone at any stage, the Mirror reports.
The ex-Middlesbrough winger was banged up for six years at Bradford crown court in May 2016.
He was found to have deleted 800 messages between himself and his victim, who he is banned from contacting.
Johnson was said to have caused the girl "severe psychological harm" by judge Jonathan Rose.
He will remain under license conditions until the conclusion of his full jail term in 2022.
And Johnson will be on the sex offenders register for at least 15 years, at which point he can apply to be removed.
He is reportedly keen to resume his football career, but knows the chance of a club in the UK taking him on are small.
Johnson's representative have been contacted for comment.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said it did not comment on individual cases.
