Raheem Sterling leaves Chelsea by mutual consent

Raheem Sterling has left Chelsea by mutual consent after reaching an agreement to end his contract early.

The 31-year-old had 18 months remaining on his £325,000‑a‑week deal.

Sterling leaves after three-and-a-half seasons at Stamford Bridge following his move from Manchester City for £47.5m in 2022.

«We thank Raheem for the contribution he made while a Chelsea player and wish him well for the next stage in his career,» Chelsea said.

The England international made 81 appearances for the Blues but had not played a competitive match for Chelsea since May 2024.

He had been training separately with the so‑called «bomb squad» at the club’s Cobham base after failing to secure a move in the summer.

Several clubs, including Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen, explored a deal for the England winger, while a potential switch to Fulham did not materialise.

It is understood that Sterling, who made his professional debut at Liverpool and has won 13 trophies in total, is keen to remain in London but is open to playing anywhere, either at home or abroad.

Sterling signed a five-year £325,000-per-week contract in 2022, relocating his young family in the process.

The £47.5m transfer was a statement of intent by Todd Boehly, who at the time was acting as sporting director, and Clearlake Capital.

However, the people behind the deal are no longer in charge at the club.

In addition to Boehly’s diminishing influence, Thomas Tuchel was the head coach who oversaw Sterling’s arrival.

Then came Graham Potter, then Frank Lampard, and then Mauricio Pochettino, all within Sterling’s first two seasons at the club, in which he played 81 times and scored 19 times as Chelsea finished 12th and then sixth.

But two years into his contract Chelsea effectively ended his role as a first-team player when new manager Enzo Maresca decided Sterling was not in his plans.

He did not play for the club again and spent last season on an underwhelming loan at Arsenal.