Raheem Sterling has left Chelsea after both parties agreed to terminate his contract early.
The 31-year-old winger had 18 months remaining on a deal worth £325,000 per week but will now depart Stamford Bridge after three-and-a-half seasons with the club.
Chelsea confirmed the decision in a brief statement, saying: “We thank Raheem for the contribution he made while a Chelsea player and wish him well for the next stage in his career.”
Blockbuster move from Manchester City comes to an end
Sterling joined the Blues from Manchester City in 2022 in a £47.5 million move that was viewed at the time as a major statement under the club’s new ownership.
He went on to make 81 appearances, scoring 19 goals, but did not feature in a competitive match for Chelsea after May 2024.
Over the past year, Sterling had been training away from the first-team group at Cobham after failing to secure a permanent move during the summer transfer window.
He was part of the group of players deemed surplus to requirements and spent last season on loan at Arsenal, where his impact was limited.
What’s next?
Several clubs, including Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen, explored potential deals for the England international, while talks over a move to Fulham did not progress.
With no transfer materialising, Chelsea and Sterling opted to reach a mutual settlement to end his contract.
Sterling’s time at the club coincided with a period of instability, with multiple managerial changes following his arrival.
Thomas Tuchel was in charge when he signed, before spells under Graham Potter, Frank Lampard and Mauricio Pochettino. His role diminished further when Enzo Maresca took over and decided the forward was not part of his plans.
A former Liverpool and Manchester City player, Sterling has won 13 major trophies in his career.
He is understood to prefer remaining in London but is open to opportunities both in England and abroad as he looks to revive his career.