Raheem Sterling Leaves Chelsea by Mutual Consent

Raheem Sterling officially leaves Chelsea after both parties agreed to terminate his contract.

The 31-year-old had been training away from the first team and had not featured in Chelsea’s squad this season.

Sterling Contract Termination Chelsea

Sterling still had 18 months left on his deal and was Chelsea’s highest-paid player, earning more than £300,000 per week.

Allowing him to leave by mutual consent will save Chelsea significant wages and give Sterling the freedom to restart his career elsewhere.

Chelsea confirmed the departure 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.

“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 Last Game

Sterling’s last competitive appearance for Chelsea came in May 2024.

He spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Arsenal, where he struggled to make an impact, scoring just once in the Carabao Cup and starting seven Premier League games.

Sterling joined Chelsea in the summer of 2022 for £50 million from Manchester City, becoming the first marquee signing under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake ownership era.

Despite high expectations, his time at Chelsea failed to live up to the hype.

After Enzo Maresca replaced Mauricio Pochettino as head coach in 2024, Sterling was left out of the senior squad.

Liam Rosenior took over in January, but despite offering Sterling a potential lifeline, he didn’t find a path back into Chelsea’s first team.

In total, Sterling made 81 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, scoring 19 goals.

Where Will Sterling Go Next?

Sterling was only interested in a permanent move away from Chelsea.

He rejected loan offers, including from Bayern Munich last summer, preferring a transfer that gives him full control over his next career step.

At 31, Sterling still has experience at the highest level, with 82 England caps and a trophy-laden career, including 10 major trophies at Manchester City and 129 appearances for Liverpool.

He is now a free agent, giving him the chance to join a club where he can play regularly and prepare for the next stages of his career.

While Sterling’s time at Chelsea will be remembered as a disappointment, his overall career remains highly decorated.