Chelsea confirm winger Raheem Sterling departs the club by mutual consent after three and a half years with the club
Updated 28/01/2026 at 17:18 GMT
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Chelsea have confirmed that winger Raheem Sterling has left the club by mutual consent. Sterling was out in the cold under former manager Enzo Maresca and that has not changed under new head coach Liam Rosenior, who replaced the Italian earlier in January. Now, with less than a week left in the January transfer window, the club has formally released him from his contract.
Rosenior ready to 'test myself against the best' in Conte tactical battle
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Chelsea have announced they have terminated the contract of forward Raheem Sterling, bringing to an end the former England international's three-and-a-half-year spell at the club.
Sterling was previously the only player remaining in Chelsea's so-called "bomb squad" following Axel Disasi's reintegration to first-team training under new head coach Liam Rosenior, but with less than a week remaining in the January transfer window, the 31-year-old has been released from his contract.
A short 57-word statement released by Chelsea on Wednesday read: "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."
The Blues had hoped to secure a permanent transfer for a player that cost them ÂŁ47.5m when he joined from Manchester City in the summer of 2022.
But, having pursued this preference, they have taken this alternative option to reach a mutual agreement to part ways, with Sterling’s £325,000 per week salary proving too big a hurdle for any potential suitor to cover on top of a transfer fee.
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Raheem Sterling is now a free agent and free to speak with other clubs.
Image credit: Getty Images
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The former Liverpool and City winger was Chelsea's highest earner, and any early termination means the club are now likely to cover most of the ÂŁ22m owed across the final 18 months of his contract, according to BBC Sport.
Sterling spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Arsenal, where he only made seven Premier League starts and failed to score, finding the net just once in 28 appearances in all competitions.
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Sterling spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Arsenal
Image credit: Getty Images
Last summer, Chelsea were keen to explore further loan arrangements with Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen, but Sterling turned down both opportunities.
Having been raised in London, the player has previously expressed a keenness to remain in the capital to stay close to his family, a factor that influenced his decision to join the Stamford Bridge club in 2022.
That move marked the first major signing of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital era, but his departure now leaves his future uncertain.
Rosenior offered little clarification when he was asked about the situation earlier this week.
"I’ve said what I need to say on Raheem," he said. "I have massive respect for him - as a person and for what he’s achieved in the game. This isn’t the right time to go into his situation."
Napoli, who Chelsea face in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - are thought to be among the clubs monitoring developments as Sterling weighs his next move.
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