{"id":255681,"first_name":"Raheem Shaquille","last_name":"Sterling","short_name":"R. Sterling","common_name":"Raheem Sterling","place_of_birth":"Kingston","gender":"male","height":170,"weight":69,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-06T19:20:33.756Z","updatedAt":"2025-06-10T13:52:34.469Z","locale":"en","age":30,"stb_id":"raheem-sterling","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Raheem Sterling","top_position":null,"introduction":"Raheem Shaquille Sterling, born on 8 December 1994, is a professional footballer known for his dynamic playing style and adaptability on the field. Currently playing as a winger for Premier League club Arsenal on loan from Chelsea, Sterling has had an illustrious career featuring significant achievements, including winning multiple Premier League titles and numerous individual accolades. His career has been marked by his transition from promising young talent to one of the leading figures in English football.","early_life_and_career":"\n## Early Years\nRaheem Sterling was born in Kingston, Jamaica, into a Christian family. His mother, Nadine Clarke, was a competitive athlete for the Jamaican national athletics team, and Sterling attributes his running style to her influence. Sterling endured a challenging childhood, marked by the murder of his father when he was just two. At the age of five, he moved to Neasden, London, with his mother. His early education took place at Copland School in Wembley, where he dealt with behavioural issues, leading to enrollment at Vernon House, a specialist school.\n\n## Youth Career\nSterling's early football journey began with the local youth team Alpha & Omega. At ten, he joined Queens Park Rangers as a winger, where he honed his skills against potential recruiters from clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City. Encouraged by his mother to steer clear of local gangs, Sterling's talents first gained substantial attention at Queens Park Rangers, marking the initial platform for his impressive ascent in football.","professional_career_and_highlights":"\n## Club Career\n### Liverpool\nRaheem Sterling's professional career took off when he signed for Liverpool from Queens Park Rangers in February 2010 for an initial fee of £450,000. Debuting in a senior game on 24 March 2012 against Wigan Athletic, he became one of Liverpool's youngest players at age 17. Over the 2012-14 seasons, Sterling transitioned from Liverpool's youth ranks to the senior team with a breakthrough performance that captivated fans. Notable moments include his first senior goal against Reading and his prominent role in Liverpool's 2013-14 Premier League title challenge.\n\nBy the 2014-15 season, Sterling's skills earned him the Golden Boy award. However, contractual disputes marked the latter part of his Liverpool tenure, leading to his transfer to Manchester City in 2015.\n\n### Manchester City\nIn July 2015, Sterling joined Manchester City for a record £49 million. His debut season highlighted his potential, scoring his first goal for City against Watford. Under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, Sterling flourished, contributing to City's successive league titles in 2017-18 and 2018-19, where he was pivotal in their domestic treble success.\n\nAs his stature grew, so did his stats, with the 2019-20 season marking his first 30-goal campaign. Success continued into 2020-21, with Sterling playing a significant role in City reaching the Champions League final.\n\n### Chelsea\nIn July 2022, Sterling signed for Chelsea on a five-year contract worth £47.5 million, scoring his first goals against Leicester City. Over his initial seasons, Sterling continued to showcase his talent, though his future at the club became uncertain in 2024.\n\n### Loan to Arsenal\nIn August 2024, Sterling transferred to Arsenal on loan, immediately making an impact by scoring in an EFL Cup match against Bolton Wanderers.\n\n## National Team Career\n### Youth National Teams\nSterling began representing England at under-16 level in 2009 due to FIFA's home nations agreement. His performances for the U-17 team, notably at the 2011 U-17 World Cup, highlighted his early promise.\n\n### Senior National Team\nSterling's senior team debut came in November 2012 against Sweden. He was part of England squads in three World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022) and two UEFA European Championships (2016, 2020). His prowess was particularly evident during UEFA Euro 2020, where he scored crucial goals against Croatia and the Czech Republic.\n","playing_style_and_skills":"\n## Player Characteristics\nSterling is renowned for his versatility, playing chiefly as a winger, but also comfortable in attacking midfield or striker roles due to his electric pace and dribbling skills. His low center of gravity and ability to outmaneuver opponents has often been highlighted, with comparisons to players like Alexis Sánchez made during his time under Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool.\n\n## Performance Statistics\nThroughout his club career, Sterling has produced consistent performance metrics, contributing critical goals and assists, particularly in defining matches and pivotal stages of team competitions.\n\n## Records\nSterling holds records such as being the most expensive English footballer at his transfer to Manchester City and one of the few players to score over 100 goals for the club. He was instrumental in City's multiple title victories and has numerous individual and team accolades.","notable_achievements":"\n## Achievements\n### Team Achievements\n- Premier League: 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22 (Manchester City)\n- FA Cup: 2018–19 (Manchester City)\n- EFL Cup: Multiple titles across seasons\n- UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2020–21\n\n### Individual Achievements\n- Golden Boy: 2014\n- PFA Young Player of the Year: 2018-19\n- FWA Footballer of the Year: 2018-19\n\n## Awards and Recognition\nSterling has received significant recognition for his contributions to football and society, being appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2021 for services to racial equality in sport.","impact_on_sport":"\n## Career Overview\nRaheem Sterling's career reflects his ability to rise from challenging beginnings to become an iconic football figure, establishing a strong legacy both in club and international football.\n\n## Off the Field\nBeyond football, Sterling has been active in charitable engagements, notably launching the Raheem Sterling Foundation focused on empowering youth development. Commercially, he has worked with brands like Nike and New Balance, expanding his influence globally.\n\n## Personal Life\nSterling's personal life includes his commitment to family and personal development, heavily influenced by his upbringing and challenging experiences. He has continued to promote positivity off the field through his foundation and various social initiatives.","stb_internal_id":"019302eb-e202-733f-b9a9-f63fa16fbd31","overrides":null,"type_code":"attacker","position_type_code":"attacker","detailed_position_type_code":"right-wing","roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":false,"has_social_media_relations":false,"introduction_html":"

Raheem Shaquille Sterling, born on 8 December 1994, is a professional footballer known for his dynamic playing style and adaptability on the field. Currently playing as a winger for Premier League club Arsenal on loan from Chelsea, Sterling has had an illustrious career featuring significant achievements, including winning multiple Premier League titles and numerous individual accolades. His career has been marked by his transition from promising young talent to one of the leading figures in English football.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Early Years

Raheem Sterling was born in Kingston, Jamaica, into a Christian family. His mother, Nadine Clarke, was a competitive athlete for the Jamaican national athletics team, and Sterling attributes his running style to her influence. Sterling endured a challenging childhood, marked by the murder of his father when he was just two. At the age of five, he moved to Neasden, London, with his mother. His early education took place at Copland School in Wembley, where he dealt with behavioural issues, leading to enrollment at Vernon House, a specialist school.

Youth Career

Sterling's early football journey began with the local youth team Alpha & Omega. At ten, he joined Queens Park Rangers as a winger, where he honed his skills against potential recruiters from clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City. Encouraged by his mother to steer clear of local gangs, Sterling's talents first gained substantial attention at Queens Park Rangers, marking the initial platform for his impressive ascent in football.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Club Career

Liverpool

Raheem Sterling's professional career took off when he signed for Liverpool from Queens Park Rangers in February 2010 for an initial fee of £450,000. Debuting in a senior game on 24 March 2012 against Wigan Athletic, he became one of Liverpool's youngest players at age 17. Over the 2012-14 seasons, Sterling transitioned from Liverpool's youth ranks to the senior team with a breakthrough performance that captivated fans. Notable moments include his first senior goal against Reading and his prominent role in Liverpool's 2013-14 Premier League title challenge.

By the 2014-15 season, Sterling's skills earned him the Golden Boy award. However, contractual disputes marked the latter part of his Liverpool tenure, leading to his transfer to Manchester City in 2015.

Manchester City

In July 2015, Sterling joined Manchester City for a record £49 million. His debut season highlighted his potential, scoring his first goal for City against Watford. Under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, Sterling flourished, contributing to City's successive league titles in 2017-18 and 2018-19, where he was pivotal in their domestic treble success.

As his stature grew, so did his stats, with the 2019-20 season marking his first 30-goal campaign. Success continued into 2020-21, with Sterling playing a significant role in City reaching the Champions League final.

Chelsea

In July 2022, Sterling signed for Chelsea on a five-year contract worth £47.5 million, scoring his first goals against Leicester City. Over his initial seasons, Sterling continued to showcase his talent, though his future at the club became uncertain in 2024.

Loan to Arsenal

In August 2024, Sterling transferred to Arsenal on loan, immediately making an impact by scoring in an EFL Cup match against Bolton Wanderers.

National Team Career

Youth National Teams

Sterling began representing England at under-16 level in 2009 due to FIFA's home nations agreement. His performances for the U-17 team, notably at the 2011 U-17 World Cup, highlighted his early promise.

Senior National Team

Sterling's senior team debut came in November 2012 against Sweden. He was part of England squads in three World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022) and two UEFA European Championships (2016, 2020). His prowess was particularly evident during UEFA Euro 2020, where he scored crucial goals against Croatia and the Czech Republic.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Player Characteristics

Sterling is renowned for his versatility, playing chiefly as a winger, but also comfortable in attacking midfield or striker roles due to his electric pace and dribbling skills. His low center of gravity and ability to outmaneuver opponents has often been highlighted, with comparisons to players like Alexis Sánchez made during his time under Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool.

Performance Statistics

Throughout his club career, Sterling has produced consistent performance metrics, contributing critical goals and assists, particularly in defining matches and pivotal stages of team competitions.

Records

Sterling holds records such as being the most expensive English footballer at his transfer to Manchester City and one of the few players to score over 100 goals for the club. He was instrumental in City's multiple title victories and has numerous individual and team accolades.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Achievements

Team Achievements

Premier League: 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22 (Manchester City)
FA Cup: 2018–19 (Manchester City)
EFL Cup: Multiple titles across seasons
UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2020–21

Individual Achievements

Golden Boy: 2014
PFA Young Player of the Year: 2018-19
FWA Footballer of the Year: 2018-19

Awards and Recognition

Sterling has received significant recognition for his contributions to football and society, being appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2021 for services to racial equality in sport.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Career Overview

Raheem Sterling's career reflects his ability to rise from challenging beginnings to become an iconic football figure, establishing a strong legacy both in club and international football.

Off the Field

Beyond football, Sterling has been active in charitable engagements, notably launching the Raheem Sterling Foundation focused on empowering youth development. Commercially, he has worked with brands like Nike and New Balance, expanding his influence globally.

Personal Life

Sterling's personal life includes his commitment to family and personal development, heavily influenced by his upbringing and challenging experiences. He has continued to promote positivity off the field through his foundation and various social initiatives.

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Raheem Sterling: Profile