Raheem Sterling breaks silence with eight-word message as Chelsea exit confirmed

Chelsea signed Raheem Sterling from Manchester City in a deal worth up to £50m during the summer of 2022

Raheem Sterling has broken his silence on social media following his departure from Chelsea. The 31-year-old winger was the first marquee signing of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital era, joining the Blues from Manchester City in a deal worth up to £50m in July 2022.

"All eyes on the future. God is great [praying emoji]," he wrote on Instagram. Meanwhile, an official statement from the club 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, who signed a five-year contract upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge, featured 81 times for Chelsea across all competitions, scoring 19 goals and providing 15 assists. The England international was exiled from the first-team squad shortly after Enzo Maresca replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the dugout, joining Arsenal on loan at the end of the summer transfer window in 2024.

He played nearly 30 appearances for the Gunners, but chalked up just over 1,000 minutes of football. Sterling, who was earning £325k-a-week, returned to west London at the end of the season, where he remained out of favour.

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The Englishman failed to find himself a new club during the summer of 2025, and continued to train separately from the first-team. The two parties have no parted ways, making Sterling available on a free transfer for any interested club.

football.london understands that Chelsea believed the decision was best for Sterling and his career. By letting the forward go, the Blues have shaved hundreds of thousands of pounds a week off the wage bill.

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