Sterling Joins Feyenoord Amid Work Permit Delays

omidbasir- According to reports from the Daily Mail, Raheem Sterling is currently unable to commence training at Feyenoord’s official facilities or participate in any matches for the club until his work permit is approved. The 31-year-old forward, who ended his contract with Chelsea in January before joining Feyenoord on a free transfer, was seen in the stands as his new team secured a 1-0 victory against Go Ahead Eagles in the Eredivisie on Sunday. Following the match, manager Robin van Persie announced plans to take the entire squad to Belgium to facilitate Sterling’s legal integration.

Van Persie stated, “That’s allowed abroad. We are doing it for him, but I also want to focus on our team development. This will provide us with an opportunity for meaningful conversations and some enjoyable activities together. He will start training the day after tomorrow, on Tuesday.”

The Feyenoord manager also addressed when he anticipates Sterling will be ready for selection: “We will assess his fitness each week. It will take some time, which is understandable as he hasn’t played for six months.”

Sterling’s last competitive match took place in May 2025 during a loan spell at Arsenal. He had not featured for Chelsea since May 2024, having been sidelined by former coach Enzo Maresca and his successor, Liam Rosenior.

Following his departure from Chelsea, several clubs, including Tottenham and Napoli, expressed interest in Sterling; however, he chose to revitalize his career at Feyenoord. Reflecting on this decision, Sterling remarked, “As a free agent, I found myself in a position to carefully consider the next step in my career for the first time in a long while. I wanted to engage with clubs and their head coaches to fully understand the role they envisioned for me and ensure I can contribute significantly in this new chapter.”

“After extensive discussions with Robin, I am confident that Feyenoord is a place where I can thrive and become a valued team member. Playing abroad presents a fresh challenge that I am ready to embrace. I am genuinely excited to get started.”

Sterling may also be eyeing a potential return to the England national team, having last earned one of his 82 international caps in December 2022 during the Qatar World Cup. While he may find it challenging to secure a position in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, a comeback in time for Euro 2028, which England will co-host, remains a possibility.

Van Persie expressed confidence in Sterling’s capabilities, highlighting at the winger’s unveiling, “His football resume speaks for itself. He is a player whose skills can undoubtedly change the outcome of a game, and I am convinced he will prove to be a valuable asset as we pursue our objectives during the second half of the season.”