Raheem Sterling has parted ways with Chelsea after both parties agreed to terminate his contract early.
The England international, who still had 18 months left on his £325,000-a-week deal, leaves Stamford Bridge after three and a half seasons with the club. Sterling joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2022 in a £47.5m move.
In a brief statement, Chelsea thanked the winger for his service, saying: “We thank Raheem for the contribution he made while a Chelsea player and wish him well for the next stage in his career.”
Sterling made 81 appearances for the Blues, scoring 19 goals, but has not featured in a competitive match for the club since May 2024. In recent months, he had been training away from the main squad at Chelsea’s Cobham base after failing to secure a transfer during the summer window.
Several clubs, including Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen, were linked with the 31-year-old, while a proposed move to Fulham also collapsed. Sterling, who has won 13 major trophies in his career and earned 82 caps for England, is understood to be keen on staying in London but remains open to opportunities both in England and abroad.
Insightlinks recalled that Sterling signed a five-year contract on his arrival in 2022, relocating his young family as part of the move. The transfer was seen as a major statement by the club’s new ownership, led at the time by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
However, the circumstances around the club quickly changed. Thomas Tuchel, who approved Sterling’s signing, was soon replaced, followed by a series of managerial changes including Graham Potter, Frank Lampard and Mauricio Pochettino within Sterling’s first two seasons.
Despite featuring regularly during that period, Chelsea endured disappointing league finishes, placing 12th and later sixth. Sterling’s situation worsened when new head coach Enzo Maresca took charge and made it clear the winger was not part of his plans.
Sterling did not play again for Chelsea and spent last season on loan at Arsenal, where he struggled to make a significant impact.
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