Raheem Sterling's latest attempt to revive his career has hit another roadblock. The 31-year-old winger, who left Arsenal and Chelsea behind, has managed just 349 minutes, zero goals, and a single assist since joining Feyenoord in February 2026. Now, the Dutch club has decided not to offer him a longer contract, ending what was supposed to be a fresh start in Rotterdam.
Sterling's move to Feyenoord came after his Chelsea exit in January 2026, when he chose the Eredivisie side over interest from Everton and West Ham. There was initial buzz around his arrival, including a spike in shirt sales, but the on-pitch performance never matched the off-pitch excitement. The 31-year-old arrived short of match fitness, and work permit delays forced him to train in Belgium for four days before he could legally join his new teammates.
His debut came against Telstar at De Kuip Stadium on February 22, but since then, he's only racked up 349 minutes across all appearances—with no goals, one assist, and one yellow card to show for it. His last goal remains the one he scored for Arsenal against Bolton in September 2024, a stark reminder of how sharply his career has stalled since joining Chelsea in 2022.
Dutch outlet Algemeen Dagblad reported two weeks ago that Feyenoord were no longer open to discussing an extension. Robin van Persie, the club's manager, had initially hinted at a longer stay, but the club's stance has hardened. This week, that decision appears final. There have been visible signs of frustration, too. Sterling was upset when substituted during Feyenoord's 0-0 draw with FC Volendam on April 5 and was not used against NEC Nijmegen. He has reportedly accepted his role as a substitute and remains determined to give his all until the season ends, but his future is clearly moving away from Rotterdam.
Feyenoord are still fighting for Champions League qualification, sitting second in the Eredivisie—just one point clear of third. A top-two finish guarantees a spot in next season's league phase, while third offers a route through the qualifying play-offs. But for Sterling, the focus is now on finishing the season strong before facing an uncertain summer transfer window.