Raheem Sterling has completed his move from Manchester City to Chelsea, with the England forward signing a five-year contract, the Premier League club confirmed on Wednesday.
Sterling is the first major signing of the summer for Chelsea and the first for the club's new owners led by Todd Boehly, who has been appointed interim chairman and is taking a central role in the Blues' transfer business. It is understood that the transfer fee is in the region of £50 million ($60m).
"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," Sterling said in a statement released by Chelsea.
"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."
Sterling was unveiled as a Chelsea player in Los Angeles, where the club are training as part of their pre-season tour of the United States. Photos released shortly after captured Sterling taking part in a training session with his new teammates, and he could feature in the opening tour match against Club America in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Sterling, 27, played an instrumental role in City's recent success after moving to the Etihad from Liverpool in 2015, scoring 131 goals in 339 games and winning four Premier League titles, four League Cups, and the 2019 FA Cup.
Last season he scored 13 goals in 30 Premier League appearances but his importance to City was becoming increasingly restricted. Sterling was on the bench for both Champions League semi-final legs against Real Madrid and was among the substitutes for the final league match of the season against Aston Villa, although it was his introduction which inspired the comeback from two goals down to win 3-2 and ensure City retained the title.
The arrivals of Norwegian striker Erling Haaland and Argentine forward Julian Alvarez were set to provide further competition for attacking places at City next season, and with Sterling entering the final year of his contract, he was reportedly keen to sort out his future.
According to reports, Sterling had several options from across Europe, with the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid also credited with an interest in the England international.
Sterling published on social media a letter to Manchester City to thank the club and its fans for their support during his seven years at the Etihad.
"Seven seasons, eleven major trophies, a lifetime of memories," the letter read. "I arrived in Manchester as a 20-year-old. Today, I leave as a man. Thank you for your endless support. It's been an honour to wear the shirt of Manchester City."
His arrival at Stamford Bridge ensures manager Thomas Tuchel has landed one of his key transfer targets and it is understood the German's pitch to Sterling for how he envisions his role within the team was central to convincing the player that Chelsea was the right move.
Tuchel had made the signing of a proven, top-level forward one of his priorities following Romelu Lukaku's return to Inter Milan on a season-long loan. The Belgian had returned to the Blues for a club record £97.5m last summer but the move ultimately proved disastrous.
While Lukaku topped Chelsea's scoring charts with 15 goals in all competitions and started last season well, he soon struggled within Tuchel's system and made public his frustration in an explosive interview. It is hoped Sterling's pace and versatility will be better suited to Tuchel's fluid attacking set-up.
"Raheem Sterling is a serial winner and his signing is an important step in strengthening our squad," Boehly said. "We are delighted for Raheem to return to London with Chelsea, and we look forward to seeing his world-class talent on display at Stamford Bridge."
With Sterling now added to the ranks, Chelsea are expected to turn their attention to boosting their defensive options after the departures of Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen to Barcelona left the Blues short of centre-backs. Chelsea are understood to be in discussions over moves for Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly and Sterling's former City teammate Nathan Ake.
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
What is a Ponzi scheme?
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
More from Neighbourhood Watch
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if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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