Chelsea have finally ended their link with Raheem Sterling, with the England winger completing a free transfer and escaping the club’s so-called “bomb squad”.
Sterling had been left training away from the main group as Chelsea looked to reshape their squad, but the 29-year-old has now secured a move without a fee and brought his Stamford Bridge spell to a close.
The deal means Chelsea have formally cut ties with a player who arrived with high expectations but found himself pushed out as the club’s rebuild continued. Sterling’s departure also clears one of the most high-profile names from the list of senior players told they were no longer part of the first-team plans.
It has been revealed that Sterling’s exit has been agreed as a free transfer, allowing him to move on immediately rather than wait for a loan or a late-window compromise.
Chelsea, who have been working to reduce their wage bill and trim the squad, now move forward without the winger as Sterling looks to restart his career away from west London.
