Feyenoord have ingeniously arranged an emergency training camp in Belgium to allow their new signing, Raheem Sterling, to train with his teammates, bypassing a critical work visa delay that prevents him from participating in the Netherlands. This strategic move was disclosed by manager Robin van Persie following his team's narrow 1-0 triumph over Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday, a match Sterling observed from the stands.
Visa Complications Prompt Creative Solution
The former England international, who had his lucrative £325,000-per-week contract at Chelsea terminated in January, officially joined the Dutch club this week to reunite with ex-Manchester United and Arsenal star van Persie. However, an unexpected hurdle emerged post-transfer: Sterling is legally barred from training with Feyenoord in the Netherlands until his work visa arrives, which has been delayed.
Van Persie clarified that this restriction does not apply internationally, enabling the club to exploit a regulatory loophole. 'That's allowed abroad,' he stated regarding Sterling's training availability. 'We're doing it for him, but I also want to work on our team development. We can have some good conversations and do something fun together.'
Sterling's Fitness and Integration Timeline
The winger is scheduled to commence training on Tuesday, marking his first team involvement since being sidelined. Van Persie emphasized that Sterling's match fitness will require time, given his six-month absence from competitive play. 'We'll see each week when he's fit for a match. That will take some time, but that seems logical to me, since he hasn't played for six months,' he added.
Sterling's last appearance for Chelsea dates back to May 2024, after which he was excluded from the squad under former manager Enzo Maresca and did not feature under Liam Rosenior. His most recent competitive match was in May 2025 during a loan spell at Arsenal, and he has yet to play any minutes this season.
Sterling's Decision to Join Feyenoord
Despite receiving interest from at least 18 top European clubs, as reported by Daily Mail Sport, Sterling opted for Feyenoord after extensive discussions with van Persie. The manager provided assurances of regular playing time, convincing the 31-year-old to sign a contract until the season's end.
Sterling expressed his enthusiasm for the new challenge, stating, 'As a free agent, I've had, for the first time in a long time, the opportunity to control the next step in my 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 further noted, '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. Playing abroad is a whole new challenge for me - and one I'm ready to embrace. Honestly, I'm just excited to get started.'
Potential National Team Implications
Sterling may view consistent game time abroad as a potential pathway back into the England national team, for which he last played in 2022 and has not officially retired. Van Persie praised his new acquisition, remarking, '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.'
While Napoli, under Antonio Conte, were rumored to be interested in Sterling, the club downplayed such speculation towards the transfer window's close. For now, Feyenoord's innovative Belgian camp offers a temporary solution to integrate Sterling swiftly, highlighting the complexities of international transfers and work permit regulations in professional football.
