Man City complete record deal for Raheem Sterling
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder became the most expensive English footballer in history when he officially joined Man City from Liverpool for a transfer fee that could reach $76.5 million.
The initial fee that Man City had to pay for Raheem Sterling was about 69 million dollars. This was enough to make this young star the most expensive English player in history.
In broader terms, Sterling is the second most expensive British player, behind Welsh winger Gareth Bale. Man City could have to pay up to £7.5m more for the deal, depending on Sterling's future contribution.
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In his new shirt, Sterling will receive a weekly salary of $280,000. Photo: MCFC. |
Sterling is a versatile player who can play as a winger, an attacking midfielder and a striker. He has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium. At his new club, Sterling will wear the number seven shirt.
Sterling has been asking to leave Anfield since the end of May. He even threatened to go on strike at Liverpool to join Man City, after the Manchester club's first two transfer offers were rejected in June. It took Man City a third attempt to convince Liverpool to sit down and complete the transfer of one of Europe's most talented U21 players.
| Raheem Sterling in the Premier League | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Number of matches | Number of goals | Construction | Shoot |
| 2014-15 | 35 | 7 | 7 | 62 |
| 2013-14 | 33 | 9 | 5 | 33 |
| 2012-13 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 23 |
Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini even rated Sterling as “one of the best attacking players in world football”.
The 61-year-old Chilean added: “He is a young player with outstanding ability. I am sure the Man City fans will be delighted and excited to see him play for the team.”
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Sterling met the Man City youth academy at his debut ceremony with the new team yesterday. Photo: MCFC. |
The England international is under contract with Liverpool until the summer of 2017, but he has refused to sign a five-year contract worth £156,000 a week. He joined Anfield from QPR in February 2010 for an initial fee of just over £900,000, plus a 20% transfer fee when Liverpool sold him to another club. As a result, QPR received £14 million in the deal for Sterling to Man City.
Several former Liverpool players have criticised Sterling's attitude since he informed manager Brendan Rodgers and chief executive Ian Ayre of his intention to leave the club this summer. Former captain Steven Gerrard said he was disappointed with Sterling's decision and behaviour.
| Most expensive British players (million dollars) |
|---|
| 133: Gareth Bale (from Tottenham to Real Madrid, 2013) |
| 76.5: Raheem Sterling (Liverpool to Man City, 2015) |
| 54.5: Andy Carroll (Newcastle to Liverpool, 2011) |
| 46.8: Rio Ferdinand (Leeds to Man Utd, 2002) |
| 42: Luke Shaw (Southampton to Man Utd, 2015) |
| 42: Wayne Rooney (Everton to Man Utd, 2004) |
| 40: James Milner (Aston Villa to Man City, 2010) |
According to VNE
