It brings to an end a superb seven-year spell at the Etihad Stadium, where the 27-year-old has been one of the key architects of our success under Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola.
He departs having scored 131 goals in 339 appearance, winning 11 trophies along the way and his goalscoring feats earned him a place in the top 10 on City’s all-time list.
During that time Sterling has won plenty of plaudits and, here, we take a look at the impact his performances have had on team-mates, managers and pundits.
Pep Guardiola (April 2021)
“Raheem has been so important in the period since we arrived. Nothing we have done so would have been possible without him.”
Vincent Kompany (March 2019)
“For me, he is one of the best wingers in the world. He’s so important for us. To have the ability to unlock defences when they defend with so many bodies is the sign of a top, top, top player.”
Nedum Onuoha (February 2022)
“Raheem’s one of the best signings that City have had in the Premier League era. He’s scored over 100 goals in the Premier League. Think of all the things Man City have won, take away his goals and do they still win them?”
Ilkay Gundogan (October 2019)
“He is among the five best attacking players in the world, definitely. Just now it’s about consistency, but he has shown in the last 12 to 18 months that he is able to be that consistent. If he can continue like that, he can be on the top. At the moment there are no limits for him.”
Gareth Southgate (September 2021)
“He is a top player, and he has got the hunger, not only to play well and perform well for the team but to score goals. That progression in the last couple of years has added so much.
“I can’t speak highly enough of how he has been with us, in the last three years in particular. We have always had faith in him, but that has been easy in the last few years because of the numbers he has hit.”
Paul Dickov (October 2020)
“Raheem leads by example and as a captain by how he plays with, and without, the ball and how he is off the pitch.
“People talk about the goals he scores and how many he creates, but if you look at that high press which we employ, nine times out of 10 it’s Raheem who sets it off so he’s already settling the example.”
Pep Guardiola (July 2020)
“The big athletes contribute to society and Raheem is doing a lot to make things better around the world. I am proud of him and support him 100%.”
Trevor Sinclair (March 2022)
“He’ll give you everything and he’s one of the best players in the Premier League, there’s no doubt.”
Frank Lampard (July 2021)
“If I’m talking to a young, wannabe winger now who wants to play, he’s an example on the pitch and off the pitch. He’s had tough times, but now he’s coming through it and he looks like a man. He’s just a world-class player.”
Shaun Wright-Phillips (April 2019)
“Every hurdle that has been front of him he’s taken in his stride and he’s become the perfect role model and shut all his critics up by doing what he does on the pitch and by scoring goals.
“He’s taken everything on the chin, handled it in the right way and just got on with it and I take my hat off him because everything he’s had to put up with, he has, and now he’s gone to another level.”
Daniel Sturridge (September 2021)
“He’s doing everything that is asked of him, on and off the pitch - doing everything that can be asked of a world-class player. I’ve been blown away by how he’s been playing.”
Gary Neville (June 2021)
“Raheem is someone who at Manchester City in these last three or four years has basically torn it up. His goals, assists have got to a level of real high quality for England and Manchester City.
Darius Vassell (February 2022)
“If you talk to defenders, he’s one of the players you’d hate to play against every game, He brings so much to the table. He can also play in any of the front three positions and can move around which is a nightmare for defenders.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (September 2021)
“Raheem has been a world-class player for a number of years. The consistency and goals he has added to his game in the last four or five years, the way he has evolved from a boy to a man, has been spectacular to see. He is a role model for everyone around the country, really. A role model for me definitely.”
