Chelsea Football Club and Raheem Sterling have reached a mutual agreement to cancel the winger's contract, making the 31-year-old England international a free agent. Chelsea confirmed the development on Wednesday. Sterling can now join another club without facing the February 2 transfer deadline.
Sterling's departure ends a turbulent three-and-a-half seasons at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea signed him from Manchester City in the summer of 2022 for £47.5 million on a five-year contract worth £325,000 per week, making him the first marquee signing under the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership.
The winger made 81 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions, scoring 19 goals and providing 15 assists. He featured regularly during his first two seasons under managers Thomas Tuchel, Frank Lampard, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino.
Fall from favor
Sterling's situation deteriorated dramatically when Enzo Maresca took over ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. Maresca cast the winger aside, relegating him to Chelsea's "bomb squad," training separately from the first team. His last competitive appearance for the club came in May 2024.
He spent the entire 2024/25 season on loan at Arsenal, where he made 28 appearances under Mikel Arteta but struggled to secure regular starts.
Fresh start ahead
Chelsea issued a statement thanking Sterling for his contribution. "Raheem Sterling has today departed Chelsea Football Club by mutual agreement, bringing to an end three-and-a-half seasons as our player, having signed in the summer of 2022 when he was transferred from Man City," the club said. "We thank Raheem for the contribution he made while a Chelsea player and wish him well for the next stage in his career."
Sterling responded to his departure with a brief Instagram post: "All eyes on the future. God is great."
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior told reporters ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Napoli: "He's a player I have massive respect for; huge respect for him as a person and for what he's achieved in the game." He added: "Now is not the right time to speak about his situation."
Napoli is reportedly among the clubs interested in signing the 82-time England international.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
