Sterling’s Dutch Debut Delayed: Emergency Training Camp Set Up in Belgium
Raheem Sterling’s highly anticipated move to Dutch club Feyenoord has hit a minor snag, with the former England international unable to train with his new teammates due to a pending work visa. However, the Rotterdam-based club, under the guidance of legendary Dutch striker Robin van Persie, has swiftly organised an unconventional solution: an emergency training camp in Belgium.
The 31-year-old winger, whose lucrative £325,000-a-week contract with Chelsea was mutually terminated in January, officially joined Feyenoord this week, linking up with Van Persie, a former star for Manchester United and Arsenal. Despite the excitement surrounding the transfer, the administrative hurdle of the work visa has prevented Sterling from participating in any team sessions since his arrival.
Speaking after Feyenoord’s 1-0 victory over Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday, a match Sterling observed from the stands, Van Persie confirmed the plan to relocate to Belgium. “That’s allowed abroad,” Van Persie explained, highlighting that the move is not only to accommodate Sterling but also to foster team development. “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 is expected to commence training with the squad on Tuesday. Van Persie cautioned that it will take time for Sterling to regain match fitness, given his extended period away from competitive football. “We’ll see each week when he’s fit for a match,” Van Persie stated. “That will take some time, but that seems logical to me, since he hasn’t played for six months.”
Sterling’s lack of recent game time stems from his situation at Chelsea. He had been sidelined since May 2024, reportedly frozen out under former manager Enzo Maresca and also not featuring under Liam Rosenior. His last competitive appearance was in May 2025, during a loan spell with Arsenal, meaning he has not played a single minute this current season.
Despite this hiatus, Sterling was reportedly not short of offers. Reports indicated that the 82-cap England international had attracted interest from at least 18 clubs across Europe’s top leagues. However, extensive discussions with Van Persie, who outlined a clear vision for Sterling’s role at Feyenoord and assured him of regular playing time, ultimately convinced him to sign a contract until the end of the season.
Sterling himself expressed his satisfaction with the move, highlighting his newfound control over his career as a free agent. “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,” he commented. “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.”
He further elaborated on his decision, stating, “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.”
While other clubs, such as Napoli under Antonio Conte, were rumoured to be in contention for Sterling’s signature, these reports were downplayed towards the end of the transfer window.
Sterling’s move to the Eredivisie could serve as a crucial stepping stone for his potential return to the England national team. He last represented his country in 2022 and has not officially announced his retirement from international football.
Van Persie expressed his optimism about the signing, believing Sterling’s quality will be a significant asset. “His football resume speaks for itself,” Van Persie remarked. “He’s a player whose qualities can change the outcome of a game without a doubt, 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.”
The temporary relocation to Belgium signifies Feyenoord’s commitment to integrating Sterling seamlessly into the squad, demonstrating Van Persie’s innovative approach to player management and team building. This unique arrangement will allow Sterling to train and bond with his new teammates while the administrative processes for his work visa are finalised.
