Raheem Sterling has completed a move to Feyenoord, signing with the Dutch giants on a contract running through the current campaign.
The 31-year-old England winger parted ways with Chelsea last month following a mutually agreed departure from Stamford Bridge.
Sterling had been earning in excess of £300,000 weekly at the Premier League club, with the two parties reaching a settlement over the remaining 18 months of his deal.
The former Manchester City star now joins a Feyenoord side sitting second in the Eredivisie, under the stewardship of ex-Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie.
Raheem Sterling has not played in the Premier League since his move to Arsenal last season
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Sterling spoke of his satisfaction at being able to chart his own course as a free agent, something he described as a rare opportunity in his 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,” he explained.
The winger expressed confidence in his decision after extensive conversations with Van Persie.
“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,” Sterling said.
Raheem Sterling has joined Feyenoord, coached by Robin van Persie
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“Playing abroad is a whole new challenge for me – and one I’m ready to embrace. Honestly, I’m just excited to get started.”
Van Persie hailed the acquisition as a remarkable achievement for the Rotterdam club.
“Naturally it’s a fantastic feat that we’ve managed to convince a player of Raheem’s calibre to sign with us,” the Feyenoord manager remarked.
The former Dutch international expressed certainty that Sterling would prove his worth during the campaign’s remaining fixtures.
“His football resume speaks for itself: he’s a player whose qualities can change the outcome of a game without a doubt, and I am convinced he will turn out to be a valuable addition to the team as we work towards achieving our goals in the second half of this season,” Van Persie added.
Feyenoord currently trail league leaders PSV by 17 points.
Raheem Sterling made 81 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions
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Sterling’s signature came despite considerable competition for his services, with approximately 18 clubs from England and across the continent registering their interest in the experienced forward.
Several factors ultimately swayed the England international towards the Netherlands.
The prospect of competing in a strong league proved attractive, whilst Feyenoord’s ambitions of securing Champions League qualification for next season aligned with Sterling’s own aspirations.
Perhaps most crucially, Van Persie’s clear vision for how the winger would fit into his tactical plans convinced Sterling that Rotterdam represented the ideal destination for this new chapter in his distinguished career.
