Dutch club Feyenoord have devised a plan to integrate fresh signing Raheem Sterling into the team despite a delay in receiving his work permit. The former Chelsea winger, who also spent time on loan with Arsenal, officially joined the Eredivisie side this week.

Innovative Training Solution

Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie is taking the team to Belgium to allow Sterling to participate in training sessions, taking advantage of different regulations. That’s allowed abroad, Van Persie stated, We’re doing it for him, but I also want to work on our team development. We can have some good conversations and do something fun together.”

Sterling will be able to begin training on Tuesday.

Sterling’s Journey to Feyenoord

Sterling departed Chelsea at the end of January following a mutual agreement to terminate his contract 18 months early. He hadn’t made a competitive appearance for Chelsea since May 2024 and had been training away from the first team.

The 31-year-old had been discussing options with numerous clubs before choosing Feyenoord, where he will play under Van Persie. He expressed his desire for a fresh start and a clear role within a team.

“As a free agent, I’ve had, for the first time in a long time, the opportunity to control the next step in my career,”

Raheem Sterling

“I wanted to take my time to speak with clubs and their head coaches to better understand the role they envisioned for me and ensure that I can add real value in this next chapter. Having spoken in great detail with Robin, I’m confident that Feyenoord is a place I can be happy and establish myself as a valued member of the team. Playing abroad is a whole new challenge for me – and one I’m ready to embrace. Honestly, I’m just excited to get started.”

Raheem Sterling

Van Persie’s Confidence in Sterling

Van Persie expressed his excitement about securing Sterling’s signature, highlighting the player’s potential impact.

“His football resume speaks for itself: he’s a player whose qualities can change the outcome of a game and I am convinced he will turn out to be a valuable addition to the team as we work towards achieving our goals in the second half of this season.”

Robin van Persie

Sterling’s last competitive match was in May 2025 while on loan at Arsenal.

FAQ

• What is the issue with Raheem Sterling joining Feyenoord? A delay in receiving his work permit is preventing him from training with the team in the Netherlands.
• How is Feyenoord addressing the work permit issue? They are holding a training camp in Belgium where Sterling can train without a Dutch work permit.
• Who is Feyenoord’s manager? Robin van Persie.