Raheem Sterling has departed Chelsea Football Club after his contract was terminated by mutual agreement, the club confirmed on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old winger, who joined from Manchester City in the summer of 2022, had not played a minute of first-team football this season and was part of the club’s so-called “bomb squad” of out-of-favour players.
A statement from Chelsea read: “We thank Raheem for the contribution he made while a Chelsea player and wish him well for the next stage in his career.”
Sterling’s exit comes after a loan spell at Arsenal last term, where he made 28 appearances. His £325,000-a-week wages and contract running until 2027 had complicated a permanent move away last summer.
New Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior recently expressed “massive respect” for the player and “huge respect” for the person, but Sterling’s future at Stamford Bridge remained uncertain.
The former England international, who has won 13 major trophies in his career, is now a free agent and will seek a new club to regain playing time ahead of the January transfer deadline.
