The long-running saga of Raheem Sterling’s move from Liverpool came to an end on Tuesday, as the club confirmed his sale to Manchester City.
Raheem Sterling has made the move from Liverpool to Manchester City, the Reds confirmed on Tuesday.
The deal, reportedly worth £49 million, makes Sterling the most expensive English player in history.
The club released an enjoyably blithe three-line statement to confirm the 20-year-old’s sale:
“Liverpool Football Club can confirm Raheem Sterling has completed a transfer to Manchester City
“The 20-year-old departs Anfield after 129 appearances and 23 goals for the Reds.
“Liverpool FC wishes Raheem well.”
Sterling made 35 Premier League appearances last season, scoring seven goals and making seven assists.
Though he was one of Liverpool’s most important players last season, the club were rightly reluctant to meet his high wage demands this summer.
His representative, Aidy Ward, went on to claim he wouldn’t extend his terms for “£900,000 a week.”
Sterling subsequently requested an omission from Brendan Rodgers’ travelling squad for Liverpool’s tour of the Far East and Australia this pre-season, while also missing two days of training after claiming illness.
City’s payment is believed to be worth £44 million up front with a further £5 million in add-ons.
Queens Park Rangers, Sterling’s former club, will receive a minimum of £7.8 million from the deal, due to a 20 percent sell-on clause included in his move to Merseyside in 2010.
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