Raheem Sterling has signed with Feyenoord until the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
The 31-year-old forward became a free agent last month after mutually terminating his contract with Chelsea.
According to a source, 18 clubs from Europe’s top four leagues expressed interest in Sterling, who was eager to join a club with strong prospects for Champions League qualification and developed a positive rapport with Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie.
“As a free agent, I’ve finally had the chance to take charge of the next phase of my career,” Sterling stated.
“I wanted to take my time talking to clubs and their managers to better understand their vision for my role and ensure I could contribute meaningfully in this next chapter.
“After extensive discussions with Robin, I am confident that Feyenoord is where I can be happy and grow as a valued team member.
“Playing abroad presents a new challenge for me, and I’m ready to embrace it. I’m just looking forward to getting started. A big thank you to Feyenoord and especially to Robin and [general manager] Dennis [te Kloese] for their patience and professionalism during this process.”
Sterling had 18 months remaining on his previous contract at Stamford Bridge but sought to negotiate an exit to revitalize his career.
He hasn’t participated in a competitive match since May and was training separately from Chelsea’s first-team squad after being deemed excess to requirements.
With 82 England caps, Sterling has won four Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and four League Cups, along with stints at Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal.
Van Persie commented: “It’s a remarkable achievement for us to sign a player of Raheem’s caliber. His football background is impressive: he has the ability to change the course of a game, and I am confident he will be a significant asset as we aim to meet our goals in the second half of this season.”
Currently, Feyenoord sits second in the Eredivisie, trailing leaders PSV Eindhoven by 17 points.