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Raheem Sterling to Chelsea: Blues officially sign winger from Manchester City, who joins club for USA tour

Wed, Jul 13, 2022
Soccer News (AP)

Raheem Sterling is the first major signing of the Todd Boehly era. The England international has moved to Chelsea in a £45 million deal with , having concluded that he would be afforded a more consistent role under Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel than Pep Guardiola. The London-based club, currently on a preseason tour in the United States, announced the move on Wednesday.

A star in LA! ????#SterlingIsChelsea pic.twitter.com/kgTYEI3ybn

- Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 13, 2022

Sterling departs Manchester a four-time champion of England with a record of 131 goals in 339 appearances for City, who he left for in 2015. His current contract had been due to expire at the end of the upcoming season and he had been used more sparingly by Guardiola this past season, starting only 23 Premier League games in 2021-22.

, but few clubs on the continent could match City's demands or the price Chelsea paid for the 27-year-old. His arrival is a major statement of intent for part owner, chairman and interim sporting director Boehly, who had not yet made a major addition to Tuchel's first team with the new season due to begin in a month.

Sterling's arrival could accelerate Hakim Ziyech's move to AC Milan while the Blues are also ready to consider offers for . Chelsea are also looking to strengthen in central defense after losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers to Real Madrid and Barcelona. They are close to landing .

Boehly has also held talks with super agent Jorge Mendes, who represents Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugese striker has told that he wants to leave in pursuit of Champions League football.

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