Raheem Sterling has spoken of his excitement at returning to London after his move to Chelsea was officially announced.
The 27-year-old has joined the Blues in a £47.5million deal, the first signing the club have made this summer, bringing an end to his seven-year spell at Manchester City.
Sterling has put pen to paper on a five-year deal, with the option of a further year, which will see him earn £310,000-a-week. He has flown out to the USA where he will join up with his new teammates on the pre-season tour.
Before playing for Liverpool and City, Sterling came through the QPR academy from the age of ten and the opportunity to move back to London was an appealing one for the England international.
“First and foremost, it’s a pleasure to be here,” Sterling told Chelsea’s official website.
“I’ve obviously achieved a lot in my career so far, but there is still so much more to achieve and I’m really looking forward to doing that in a Chelsea shirt, under Thomas’s management.
“London is my home and where it all started for me, and it’s amazing I now have the opportunity to play in front of friends and family week in, week out at Stamford Bridge. I’m really looking forward to meeting the fans there soon.
“I do want to take the opportunity to thank Todd, Behdad, the ownership group, Thomas, and all involved in the process of getting me here.
“I can’t wait to get going now and continue to do my talking on the pitch.”
