Adam Johnson, 27, was arrested in March after he was accused of three counts of sexual activity with an under 16-year-old, and another of grooming.
The alleged acts occurred on one night of January 2015, with the grooming occurring in December and February.
Appearing in court with his partner Stacey Flounders, Adam did not enter a plea, though his solicitor has indicated he plans to plead not guilty.
His girlfriend Stacey gave birth to their first child, Ayla Sofia, in the same month that the alleged offences took place, though she has stuck by him during the furore - holding his hand on the way to Peterlee Magistrates Court in Country Durham.
The case has now been adjourned until June, freeing up Adam to play for his team - Sunderland - until then.
When news of the offences initially broke, Sunderland suspended the athlete from games, though they later allowed him back saying that ‘legal proceedings must take their course.’