Revealed: How Robin van Persie convinced Raheem Sterling to ditch the Premier League and make surprise switch to the Netherlands as star seals move after Chelsea nightmare
Raheem Sterling’s belief that he needed time away from the Premier League has seen him join Dutch club Feyenoord on a deal until the end of the season, despite talks with crisis club Tottenham Hotspur.
The England international has built up a strong rapport with the Rotterdam side’s manager Robin van Persie during extension discussions over what part he might play at the club. This relationship, as well as Van Persie’s commitment to giving him game time, has been behind his decision to sign.
Ironically, Spurs’ confirmation on Thursday that winger Wilson Odobert will be out for the remainder of the season with an ACL injury, means that Sterling could have served a highly valuable purpose in North London.
But the 31-year-old’s bleak few years at Chelsea have left him reluctant to join any club which lacks stability. Since the termination of his contract at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago, he has spent time with senior management and head coaches at a number of clubs, to ensure that his next step would not take him into more of the chaos he has just left behind. Sources have told Daily Mail Sport that around 18 across the top four European Leagues expressed an interest in Sterling.
Feyenoord, who are second in the Eredivisie table and had also been speaking to Jesse Lingard, wanted Sterling on a longer-term deal. But Sterling was cautious – committing to a deal until the end of the season, to be sure that he isn’t walking into another disaster of Chelsea proportions at what he considers a pivotal moment in his career.
As well as Van Persie’s presence, the club appealed to him because of their strength in the Dutch league, the likelihood of achieving Champions League qualification, the professionalism and transparency – as he sees it – of chief executive Dennis te Kloese and the opportunity to play abroad.
Raheem Sterling has signed for Dutch side Feyenoord on a deal until the end of the season
The Blues winger will now work under former Arsenal and Manchester United star Roboin van Persie, who is manager of the club
Sterling played for Liverpool against Van Persie in September 2012, when the Dutchman scored an 81st minute penalty for his side in a 2-1 win at Anfield.
Sterling said: ‘As a free agent, I’ve had, for the first time in a long time, the opportunity to control the next step.
‘In my career. I wanted to take my time to speak with clubs and their head coaches to better understand the role they envisioned for me and ensure that I can add real value in this next chapter.’
‘Having spoken in great detail with Robin, I’m confident that Feyenoord is a place I can be happy and establish myself as a valued member of the team. Playing abroad is a whole new challenge for me – and one I’m ready to embrace. Honestly, I’m just excited to get started.’
Feyenoord are 17 points behind league leaders PSV, who beat them 3-0 earlier this month. Te Kloese received threats after that defeat. Authorities are investigating the threats as well as the online circulation of the club director’s mobile phone number.
Daily Mail Sport was told in January that Sterling was open to considering a move abroad, with the attacker previously keen to stay in London.
The terms of the settlement to end his stay at Stamford Bridge have not being revealed by either side, but we are told it achieves a meaningful saving to Chelsea while also allowing Sterling to reignite his career.
A club statement confirmed: ‘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.’
Sterling took to Instagram to share a brief message, saying: ‘All eyes on the future. God is great.’
Sterling, who was on a £325,000-a-week, five-year deal with Chelsea, had his contract ripped up last month and did not play for the Blues after May 2024
Napoli, managed by Antonio Conte, were thought to be in the mix to sign Sterling, although the club played that down on towards the end of the transfer window.
Chelsea signed Sterling on a five-year contract in 2022 from Manchester City for a fee worth £47.5million. He was the first signing made by Chelsea’s Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership in what was considered an early statement of intent by the hierarchy.
He made 81 appearances for Chelsea – one less than the 82 he has for England – before being frozen out under Enzo Maresca as part of the Blues’ bomb squad.
The winger didn’t feature under Liam Rosenior either, with the new Chelsea manager telling Daily Mail Sport last week: ‘I’ve said what I’ve had to say on Raheem. He’s a player I have massive respect for. Huge respect for as a person and what he’s achieved in the game. Now is not the right time to speak about his situation.’
