Chelsea forward, Raheem Sterling, has made a surprising move to Premier League rivals Arsenal, securing a season-long loan deal on the final day of the transfer window.
The 29-year-old England international, who was informed by Chelsea’s new manager, Enzo Maresca, that he was not part of the club’s plans for the upcoming season, expressed his excitement about the new chapter in his career.
Reflecting on the transfer, Sterling shared, “It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s really exciting.” He added, “It [the move] is one where we kind of left it late but it’s one I was hoping for. Looking at everything, I’m just, like, ‘This is a perfect fit for me’, and I’m super happy that we got it over the line.”
Sterling’s journey at Chelsea saw him make 81 appearances and net 19 goals since his £50 million transfer from Manchester City in July 2022.
His arrival at Stamford Bridge was one of the early moves under the club’s co-controlling owners, Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly.
Despite being a key player last season, with 43 appearances across all competitions, Sterling found himself on the fringes under Maresca’s leadership, particularly after the club’s heavy investment of over £200 million on 11 new signings this summer.
The uncertainty about his future became apparent when Sterling was left out of Chelsea’s squad for their Premier League opener against Manchester City.
This exclusion prompted his representatives to seek clarity from the club. Although there were rumours linking him with a potential switch to Manchester United, it was Arsenal that emerged as the unexpected destination late in the transfer window.
Sterling now reunites with Mikel Arteta, who was a coach at Manchester City during Sterling’s tenure there.
Discussing his decision to join Arsenal, Sterling highlighted the appeal of working with Arteta again.
“I spoke with [sporting director] Edu and I said you can see the real togetherness from Mikel’s time here and you see the journey the boys are on,” Sterling said. “You can see the hunger, and I keep saying again, the togetherness is something I’m looking to be a part of.”
Sterling, who has been capped 82 times by England and played a crucial role in their run to the Euro 2020 final, has not represented his country since December 2022.
His move to Arsenal represents a fresh start, offering him the chance to reignite his career under familiar guidance.
