Robin van Persie takes drastic action as Raheem Sterling banned from training

Raheem Sterling cannot train with Feyenoord in the Netherlands due to work permit issues, but Robin van Persie has organized a Belgium training camp where the former Liverpool winger can join his new teammates

Robin van Persie is waiting for Raheem Sterling to be available for selection(Image: Getty Images)

Robin van Persie has revealed Feyenoord has swiftly arranged a training camp in Belgium to enable Raheem Sterling to link up with his new colleagues.

The former Liverpool winger finalized a surprising transfer to the Dutch side earlier this week, following a mutual agreement to end his Chelsea contract. It is believed that Sterling held discussions with 18 clubs before deciding on Feyenoord, where he will play under former Arsenal and Manchester United forward Van Persie.

Sterling hadn't featured for a single minute for Chelsea this season and will be eager to make an immediate impact and help revitalize his faltering career. However, the 31-year-old is being forced to wait due to work permit complications.

Feyenoord competed without its free transfer acquisition on Sunday, defeating Go Ahead Eagles 1-0, with Sterling unable to even train with his new teammates.

Yet to navigate the current obstacle, Van Persie has announced his players will travel for a camp on Monday, where they will be accompanied by the four-time Premier League winner.

Van Persie said: "That's allowed abroad. We're doing it for him, but I also want to work on our team development. We can have some good conversations and do something fun together.

Raheem Sterling is waiting to be cleared to play(Image: Getty Images)

"He'll start training the day after tomorrow. We'll see each week when he's fit for a match. That will take some time, but that seems logical to me, since he hasn't played for six months."

Following the official announcement of his move, Sterling stated: "As a free agent, I've had, for the first time in a long time, the opportunity to control the next step in my career. I wanted to take my time to speak with clubs and their Head Coaches to better understand the role they envisioned for me and ensure that I can add real value in this next chapter.

"Having spoken in great detail with CEO Dennis te Kloese and Robin, I'm confident that Feyenoord is a place I can be happy and establish myself as a valued member of the team. Playing abroad is a whole new challenge for me - and one I'm ready to embrace.

"Honestly, I'm just excited to get started. To Feyenoord and particularly Robin and Dennis, thank you for your patience and professionalism as I navigated this process."

After a poor stint at Stamford Bridge, Van Persie asserted that Sterling chose Feyenoord to help reignite his passion for the game.

He said: "Raheem is a great player with a wonderful character. He has chosen the love of the game and hopes to rediscover the joy here in Holland. We are going to help him with that. He has already proven everything in his career. What he is looking for is trust, warmth and love again."

Sterling's contract runs until the end of this season, but there remains optimism that it could evolve into a more extended agreement. "We hope Raheem enjoys himself so much that he chooses to stay here in Holland. We have to make the most of it," Van Persie said.

"The remarkable thing is that we didn't really know each other as people, even though we did play against each other at the beginning of his career. Five times, in fact, and I did win three of those games – but don't tell him that."