LONDON, United Kingdom — Chelsea Football Club and Raheem Sterling have formally severed ties through mutual consent, concluding the English forward’s tumultuous three-and-a-half-year period at Stamford Bridge. The separation marks the end of a significant chapter for both parties after Sterling’s high-profile transfer from Manchester City in 2022 failed to deliver expected results.
The club confirmed the departure in an official statement: “Raheem Sterling has today departed Chelsea Football Club by mutual agreement. We thank Raheem for the contribution he made while a Chelsea player and wish him well for the next stage in his career.”
Sterling’s Chelsea journey began with considerable anticipation following his £47 million (approximately $64 million) move from Manchester City, where he had established himself as one of England’s most dynamic wingers and a four-time Premier League champion. However, the transition to west London proved challenging as the 31-year-old struggled to replicate his previous offensive productivity and consistent form.
The situation deteriorated under former manager Enzo Maresca, who excluded Sterling from first-team preparations alongside other peripheral players. Despite Maresca’s subsequent departure and replacement by Liam Rosenior in January, Sterling remained absent from selection across five matches, having last featured competitively for Chelsea in May 2024.
During the recent summer transfer window, Sterling trained separately from the main squad—arriving and departing at altered times while utilizing different facilities—as Chelsea sought to facilitate his exit. Potential transfers to Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen, and Fulham were discussed but ultimately failed to materialize.
With 18 months remaining on a contract reportedly worth £325,000 weekly, Sterling’s departure allows him to pursue opportunities as a free agent despite the closure of the transfer window. His tenure at Chelsea concluded with 81 total appearances, a disappointing loan spell at Arsenal last season, and unfulfilled expectations for both player and club.