The girl whom Adam Johnson is alleged to have abused is a passionate Sunderland supporter, a court has heard.
The winger was sacked by the Black Cats on Thursday after pleading guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and a further count of grooming.
Bradford Crown Court heard on Friday that the alleged victim, who was 15 in December 2014, was an avid Sunderland supporter and Johnson was her favourite player in the team.
Prosecutor Kate Blackwell QC told the court: "After matches, she would hang around waiting for a glimpse of him, wanting to get a photograph, often sporting a Sunderland shirt with Johnson's name emblazoned across the back.
"What has brought the defendant to this courtroom is a sexual desire for [the girl], an excessive arrogance and an unwarranted level of expectation."
Johnson, who was living with his pregnant girlfriend Stacey Flounders at the time, has denied two other offences of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16.
