Raheem Sterling is a free agent after the forward reached an agreement with Chelsea to end his contact, the club confirmed on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old last played for the Blues in May 2024, and spent last season on loan at Arsenal after being deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
Sterling had left 18 months left on the contract he signed when joining the Chelsea from Manchester City in 2022 for £47.5million ($64m) — but he will now depart by mutual agreement.
The England winger was the first major men’s signing of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital era, after they acquired ownership of the club from Roman Abramovich in May 2022.
Sterling made a total of 81 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 19 goals, but the club shifted towards a policy of signing young players on long contracts and after being frozen out under Enzo Maresca, he spent last season on loan at Arsenal where he failed to kickstart his career.
He has not played a competitive match in eight months — Arsenal’s final match of the 2024-25 season — and had been training away from the first-team squad at Cobham.
Following talks this week, there was no prospect of a change in his circumstances under new head coach Liam Rosenior.
Sources have told ESPN that several clubs had enquired about a loan move but Sterling had stated a preference for a permanent deal to give him the stability to revive his career.
Sources added that Sterling was also reluctant to take his children out of their current schooling for a temporary move to a new club.
Chelsea were keen to offload Sterling’s £325,000-a-week salary from their wage bill and the club had attempted in previous windows to find him a suitable exit. All parties decided a split was now the best way forward.
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As a free agent, Sterling is able to negotiate directly with clubs and sources have told ESPN that while his preference is to remain in London, he will consider offers from home and abroad.
West Ham had initially expressed an interest on loan earlier this month while Fulham and Crystal Palace have previously tracked Sterling.
He is a potentially attractive proposition as a free agent with 82 international caps and 13 major trophies to his name in addition to being awarded an MBE in 2021 and standing as a prominent voice in anti-discrimination campaigns.
Chelsea said in a statement: “Raheem Sterling has today departed Chelsea Football Club by mutual agreement, bringing to an end three-and-a-half seasons as our player, having signed in the summer of 2022 when he was transferred from Manchester City.
“We thank Raheem for the contribution he made while a Chelsea player and wish him well for the next stage in his career.”
