Former Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling has finally found himself a new club, surprisingly joining Feyenoord as a free agent.
The 31-year-old was finally released from his contract at Chelsea in January having not featured for the Blues since 2024.
It marks the next chapter in a fascinating career for Sterling, who began his professional life as an exciting prospect at Liverpool.
Joining as a 15-year-old from Queens Park Rangers, the flying winger made his mark on the first-team under Brendan Rodgers before leaving in a controversial switch to Manchester City.
Before all of that, Dirk Kuyt had the pleasure of training with the promising youngster before his exit from Anfield in 2012. And having seen Sterling join his former club, Kuyt has admitted that it was the England international’s pace which really stood out to him.
Dirk Kuyt was bowled over by Raheem Sterling’s pace
Even from before joining Liverpool, it was clear that Sterling had the tools to make it as a professional in the Premier League.
Kuyt certainly thought so, and although he has curiously admitted to ‘not liking’ Sterling after his move to City, the 45-year-old told ESPN NL that he also saw just what a prospect he could be up close at Liverpool.
Raheem Sterling of Liverpool in action during the Barclays Premier League match betrween Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
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“That was quite a few years ago, he was sixteen then,” Kuyt said. “We trained together a few times and played a few matches. Ultimately, I didn’t like him that much because he quickly moved to a big rival. But Raheem Sterling, of course, is considered a fantastic player in English football with a tremendous record.
“He was really young back then. What I remember most is that he was allowed to train with me as a youngster and made an acceleration that made me think: oh, this is serious. You immediately saw his potential, and the rest is history.
“Hopefully, there’s more history to come. From what I’ve seen and experienced with him, he’s a fantastic player. And he’s still relatively young.”
Can Sterling make an impact at Feyenoord?
Sterling may not be the most popular player to have graced Liverpool’s history, but it is still nice to see him find a new club after such a difficult time at Chelsea.
As Kuyt says, he should still have something to offer the Eredivisie, even if his best days are comfortably behind him.
If he can regain some form in the Netherlands, perhaps Thomas Tuchel will decide he could be a good person to have around the England camp at this summer’s World Cup.
Some of the pace which so impressed Kuyt 15 years ago has understandably vanished, but class is permanent and Sterling will be looking to roll back the clock in Rotterdam.
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