Raheem Sterling has departed Chelsea by mutual consent, bringing an end to a disappointing spell at Stamford Bridge. The 31-year-old winger, who was the club’s highest earner on a contract worth £325,000 per week, had been out of favour since the summer of 2024 and had not played this season, training away from the first team.
Sterling joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2022 as the first marquee signing under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership. However, he struggled for consistency during his first two seasons and was loaned to Arsenal last season. Chelsea’s shift in transfer policy towards younger players on incentivised long-term deals made Sterling’s high wages a barrier to a permanent sale.
Despite interest from Fulham, Crystal Palace, and West Ham, Sterling was initially reluctant to leave London. He is now understood to be open to moving away from the capital in search of a fresh start. The termination of his contract, which had 18 months remaining, allows him to revive his career elsewhere.
Sterling’s decline marks a sad turn for a player who was once a key figure for England, scoring three times at Euro 2020 as the men’s team reached their first major final since 1966. He also earned an MBE in 2021 for his work against racism. His last England appearance came at the 2022 World Cup.
Chelsea thanked Sterling for his contribution in a statement: “We thank Raheem for the contribution he made while a Chelsea player and wish him well for the next stage in his career.”
