Raheem Sterling Given Strict Deadline to Find New Club Due to UEFA Rule

Raheem Sterling has a strict deadline to find a new club, if he wants to compete in European competition this season.

After falling out of favour at Chelsea last season Sterling has finally parted ways with the Stamford Bridge club last month, after joining from Man City in 2022.

Sterling hasn't made a competitive appearance since he featured while on loan at Arsenal last May, where he played 63 minutes of the Gunners 3-1 win against Southampton.

An official club statement read: "Raheem Sterling has today departed Chelsea Football Club by mutual agreement, bringing to an end three-and-a-half seasons as our player, having signed in the summer of 2022 when he was transferred from Manchester City.

"We thank Raheem for the contribution he made while a Chelsea player and wish him well for the next stage in his career."

Raheem Sterling for Arsenal in the 24/25 season (credit: getty)

Sterling must sign before deadline to play in Europe

Since the news, Sterling is yet to find a new club but has been heavily linked to over eight clubs, including Premier League sides West Ham United, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur.

While the transfer window shutting doesn't impact free agents such as Sterling, if the England international wants to play in UEFA competitions this season, the clock is ticking.

According to official UEFA regulations, clubs who will compete in the knockout stages of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League have until the 5th of February to submit their squad.

Clubs competing in the knockout stages can make a maximum of three changes to the squads they submitted for the league phase, which concluded in January.

According Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany, Bundesliga side Union Berlin were left 'rubbing their eyes' after being offered the chance to sign the 31-year-old.

Union's managing director Horst Heldt confirmed the reports, telling Sky: “Sometimes you have to rub your eyes (…) In this case, it didn’t really seem serious. We didn’t pursue it any further.”