Raheem Sterling is set for a fresh start in the Netherlands after being persuaded to join Feyenoord by former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie
Raheem Sterling before a Chelsea game
Raheem Sterling has joined Feyenoord(Image: Getty)
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Raheem Sterling says he is ready for a “whole new challenge” after joining Feyenoord until the end of the season.
England international Sterling, 31, has joined the Dutch giants as a free agent after reaching an agreement to terminate his contract with Chelsea last month. Sterling, who won the title four times with Manchester City, says joining Feyenoord appealed after extensive talks with their boss Robin van Persie.
It represents a fresh start for Sterling who has seen his career take a downward spiral after joining Chelsea nearly four years ago. Sterling had talks with EIGHTEEN clubs across four top European leagues but saw Holland as a fresh start.
Sterling said: “As a free agent, I've had, for the first time in a long time, the opportunity to control the next step in my career. I wanted to take my time to speak with clubs and their head coaches to better understand the role they envisioned for me and ensure that I can add real value in this next chapter.
“Having spoken in great detail with Robin, I'm confident that Feyenoord is a place I can be happy and establish myself as a valued member of the team. Playing abroad is a whole new challenge for me - and one I’m ready to embrace.
“Honestly, I’m just excited to get started. To Feyenoord, thank you for your patience and professionalism as I navigated this process.”
Sterling had been frozen out at Chelsea just two years after moving to Stamford Bridge for £50million and his career spiral has been very sad for a player who was England’s best player at the Euros in 2021 and enjoyed huge success at City.
He did join Arsenal for a season-long loan but was reluctant last summer to go out on loan again because he wanted stability for his family.
Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling spent last season on loan with Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)
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Ideally, Sterling wanted a longer deal with Feyenoord but the Dutch club wanted to see his level and this short term deal could lead to a longer contract.
He had been the sole remaining member of Chelsea's 'bomb squad' before terminating his deal with the west London club on January 28. Sterling earned £325,000 per week at Stamford Bridge and had roughly £22million remaining on his five-year contract which was due to expire in June 2027.
Sterling was the first marquee signing of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership regime at Chelsea. He made 81 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 19 goals and providing 15 assists, but drifted to the fringes of the squad in recent years.
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