Raheem Sterling: Chelsea sign England forward on five-year deal from Manchester City
Chelsea have signed Raheem Sterling from Manchester City on a five-year contract, the Premier League clubs have announced.
The clubs are reported to have agreed a £47.5m fee for the 27-year-old to end his seven-year stay at City and join Thomas Tuchel's Blues, who confirmed the deal from their pre-season camp in the United States.
“First and foremost, it’s a pleasure to be here,” Sterling told the club’s official website.
“I’ve obviously achieved a lot in my career so far, but there is still so much more to achieve and I’m really looking forward to doing that in a Chelsea shirt, under Thomas’s management.
“London is my home and where it all started for me, and it’s amazing I now have the opportunity to play in front of friends and family week in, week out at Stamford Bridge. I can’t wait to get going now and continue to do my talking on the pitch.”
Sterling is Chelsea’s first major signing of the summer and could soon be followed by Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who is expected to complete his move to west London soon.
A star in LA! 🇺🇸#SterlingIsChelsea pic.twitter.com/kgTYEI3ybn
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 13, 2022
Sterling said he will leave Manchester City “a man” after his move to Chelsea edged closer and he announced the end of his seven-year stay at the Etihad Stadium
He posted a goodbye message on social media as an expected transfer to join Chelsea neared completion.
Sterling announced his exit from the Etihad with a thank-you to those he was worked with at the club.
“Seven seasons, eleven major trophies, a lifetime of memories,” he posted on Twitter.
“To the coaching staff who have played a massive role in my development over the years to my team-mates who have become more than just those I share a pitch with, to the backroom staff, to the office staff, to the fans who have tirelessly supported the team and to everyone involved with Manchester City, my respect for you couldn’t be greater.
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) July 13, 2022
“What a ride it’s been. I am thankful for the ups and the downs as it’s the downs that have, at times, tested my strength and resolve and enabled me to stand here in front of you as the best possible version of myself.
“I arrived in Manchester as a 20-year-old. Today, I leave a man. Thank you for your endless support. It’s been an honour to wear the shirt of Manchester City.”
Sterling joined City from Liverpool in 2015, winning four league titles and scoring 131 goals in 339 games across all competitions.
He was in and out of the City team towards the end of last season and did not start either leg of their Champions League semi-final loss to Real Madrid or the Premier League title-clincher against Aston Villa on the final day.
The England international becomes the second long-serving City player to depart for London this summer after Gabriel Jesus completed a move to Arsenal.
The pair scored 30 goals between them last season but Pep Guardiola will be hoping to offset that loss following the signing of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund earlier in the window.
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