From Chelsea Nightmare to Feyenoord Focus: Sterling's New Chapter
12 February 2026
A Fresh Chapter
Raheem Sterling has left Chelsea after the club announced a mutual termination of his contract, ending a spell that began in 2022 when he arrived from Manchester City.
Chelsea confirmed on January 26 that Sterling departed by mutual consent, bringing to a close a three-and-a-half year period that included a high wage and limited playing time this season.
The club thanked him for his contributions and wished him well as he moved on to new pastures.
During his Chelsea career he made 81 appearances across all competitions, scoring 19 goals and providing 15 assists. He had spent last season on loan at Arsenal.
Despite reportedly earning a top weekly wage of around 325,000 pounds, Sterling did not feature this season under coaches Enzo Marisca and Liam Rosinior, leading to the mutual decision to part ways.
New Destination and Career Snapshot
Feyenoord announced the signing on a free transfer through the end of the 2025/26 season, marking Sterling's first professional stint outside England.
The Dutch club said the deal was completed after considering several options, with Sterling joining as a free agent and seeking a fresh challenge under manager Robin van Persie.
Sterling said the move to Feyenoord aligns with his goals and that he looks forward to a new chapter in the Netherlands, bringing his experience to the team and city.
Robin van Persie highlighted that Sterling brings quality and a proven ability to influence games, underscoring his career achievements including four Premier League titles, domestic cups, and a record of 182 goals in domestic competitions and 86 in Europe, along with 82 England caps and MBEs in 2021.
Sterling also said that playing outside England would be a challenge he embraces with enthusiasm, hoping to win the trust of the national team coach Thomas Tuchel once again and help the squad reach new heights.
Punchline 1: The Dutch wind is different from Chelsea's debates—Rotterdam might finally give him space to breathe on the pitch.
Punchline 2: If movement is key, Sterling just unlocked a new level—the transfer policy here comes with a 100 percent chance of home advantage and a passport that travels faster than a rumor.
