Raheem Sterling has left Chelsea after three and a half years at the club.
Sterling is now free to sign for any club as a free agent after mutually agreeing the terms of his exit.
The 31-year-old had not played for Chelsea since May 2024 even though he has remained one of the club’s best-paid players, earning a reported £325,000 a week.
Sterling had 18 months left on a contract that could have cost Chelsea £25m if he were to stay until it ran out in the summer of 2027.
The winger, a £47.5m arrival from Man City in 2022, was the first men’s signing under Chelsea’s current owners. He joined in the summer when co-owner Todd Boehly had installed himself as interim sporting director.
Sterling spent last season on loan at Arsenal
Sterling spent time on loan at Arsenal last season and has been training away from the first team since he came back to Chelsea last summer.
Sterling had been linked with moves to Fulham and Napoli among other clubs, but was not keen on another loan move, only a permanent deal.
The termination of his contract – which had 18 months left to run – means he can now join another club on a free transfer and it does not need to be agreed before Monday’s transfer deadline.
A club statement of 60 words concluded with: “We thank Raheem for the contribution he made while a Chelsea player and wish him well for the next stage in his career.”
Sterling made 81 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions after joining from Manchester City in the summer of 2022.
