Raheem Sterling has joined Chelsea from Premier League rivals Manchester City, Chelsea have confirmed. The England striker arrived for a fee of £45m, Chelsea's first major signing since Todd Boehly's conglomerate bought the club. Sterling, who has just one year left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium, has signed a five-year deal with Chelsea. The 27-year-old scored 17 goals for Guardiola in all competitions for the club last season, bettered by only Riyad Mahrez (24) and Kevin De Bruyne (19).
But Manchester City were always seen as an outlet for the England star after signing Dortmund star Erling Haaland, who were also linked with Premier League rivals Arsenal earlier this month.
now, Sterling will join Thomas Tuchel's side as they look to finish third last season. "First and foremost, I'm happy to be here," Sterling told Chelsea's official website. “I've had a lot of success in my career so far. But there is still much to achieve and I look forward to doing that in a Chelsea shirt under Thomas' management.
"London is my home and everything has been amazing for me," he said. Now I get to play at Stamford Bridge in front of friends and family in a week which is amazing. "I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Todd, Behdad, the ownership team, Thomas and everyone involved in the process of getting me here. I can't wait to go and talk on the field now."
Sterling's move will see him return to London, where he grew up in QPR's youth system before moving to Liverpool aged 15. The England striker, who reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020, is hoping to be guaranteed first-team football in Qatar ahead of the World Cup following his move to Stamford Bridge. Just 23 of Manchester City's 38 league games last season.
Sterling won four Premier League titles in Manchester after joining from Liverpool in 2015. Won the FA Cup once and the EFL Cup four times.