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Chelsea have announced that Raheem Sterling has left the club, ending his long exile at Stamford Bridge. Sterling, 31, last played a competitive match for Chelsea in May 2024, having spent last season on loan at Arsenal.

The forward was the sole remaining member of the Blues' 'bomb squad' after Axel Disasi returned to the first-team setup following Liam Rosenior's appointment as manager. Sterling continued to train separately but his months in the wilderness have now finally come to an end ahead of the transfer window closing on Monday.

Chelsea said in a statement: "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 Man 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 earned £325,000 per week at Stamford Bridge and had roughly £22million remaining on his five-year contract which was due to expire in June 2027. The 82-time England international rejected the chance to join both Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen on loan in the summer, instead preferring to stay in London close to his family.

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Napoli, who play Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday night, are reportedly one of the clubs who are interested in signing him. Ahead of the match in Italy, Rosenior said that there was no update regarding Sterling's future.

"He's a player I have massive respect for; huge respect for him as a person and for what he's achieved in the game," the Blues boss told reporters. "Now is not the right time to speak about his situation."

Sterling was the first marquee signing of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership regime at Chelsea. The Blues paid £47.5million to sign him from City.

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The ex-Liverpool star featured regularly as Chelsea lost their way under the likes of Thomas Tuchel, Frank Lampard, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino in his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge. Sterling was then cast aside after Enzo Maresca took over ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

The 31-year-old made 81 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 19 goals and providing 15 assists. Sterling was largely a peripheral figure at Arsenal last season but now there's a chance for him to make a fresh start.

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