Raheem Sterling Joins Chelsea From Manchester City In £47.5 Million Deal

After seven years of unprecedented success, Raheem Sterling has officially completed his £47.5 million move to Chelsea from Manchester City.

The England international swapped Merseyside for Manchester in the summer of 2015 and has since gone on to become one of the greatest goal scorers in the club's history.

As well as joining the elite top-ten list of Manchester City scorers with 131 goals to his name, the winger also recently joined the astute Premier League 100-club.

His initial £49 million move to Manchester City from title rivals Liverpool - a British record at the time - sent shockwaves around the Premier League - the Blues had secured one of the countries finest young talents.

The move was met with hostility by numerous sides in the league, but Raheem Sterling instantly became a fan favourite around the Etihad Stadium.

Despite a slow start in his debut season, the arrival of Pep Guardiola elevated the winger to a world-class level.

He became - bar Sergio Agüero - the most reliable goal scorer for the Catalan coach and was a regular starter on the right wing.

His front three combination with Agüero and Leroy Sané is still seen as one of the deadliest trios in Premier League history - amassing a record 100 points in the 2017/18 season.

That was Raheem Sterling's first domestic triumph, but since then, he has played a massive role in a further three Premier League title successes.

In 2018/19, he produced a staggering 42 goal contributions and was only rivalled in that department by Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

In recognition of his efforts, the winger was awarded the prestigious FWA Footballer of the Year.

It is not just in the league that Sterling has made huge contributions; he will take a further five League Cup's, one FA Cup and two Community Shield's with him to Stamford Bridge.

He scored a brace in Manchester City's FA Cup final victory over Watford in 2019 to complete a domestic treble and bagged the winning penalty against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final that same year.

Raheem Sterling also started in Manchester City's first-ever Champions League final appearance in 2021, where the Blues lost in heartbreaking fashion to Chelsea in Porto.

The last two years has seen the 27-year-old in and out of Pep Guardiola's starting XI on a regular basis, but his contribution in front of goal has remained a constant.

His decision to move on is purely down to a desire for regular game-time.

Entering the final 12 months of his Manchester City contract, Sterling has decided joining Thomas Tuchel's side will give him more guarantees and has left the club after seven years of incredible service.

Upon his departure from the Etihad Stadium, Director of Football Txiki Begiristain said: "Raheem has been a wonderful servant for Manchester City, and he leaves our club on the best terms possible having helped us win yet another Premier League title. 

“He has played a very important part of the successes we’ve had in recent seasons and his dignity on and off the field has been an inspiration to many. 

“He will be forever part of Manchester City and we wish him well in the next chapter of his career and he departs knowing he will always be welcomed at this football club.”  

Everyone at City Xtra would like to thank Raheem for all the fantastic moments he provided during his stay and wish him nothing but success in the future.