Feyenoord head coach Robin van Persie says Raheem Sterling is aiming to “regain the enjoyment” in his soccer following his transfer to the Eredivisie.
Sterling has joined Feyenoord on a short-term deal till the top of the season on a free switch following his Chelsea exit.
The 31-year-old mutually agreed to terminate his contract with the Blues in January, having been omitted of the squad by earlier head coach Enzo Maresca, with Liam Rosenior electing to not reintegrate him.
Sterling has not featured in a aggressive sport since Might 25 final 12 months, when he performed 63 minutes for Arsenal towards Southampton.
And Van Persie believes Feyenoord are the suitable membership for Sterling to seek out his love for the sport as soon as extra.
“Effectively, you may see that it provides a lift all through the entire membership. You see that on totally different ranges,” Van Persie advised a information convention on Friday.
“You noticed it [in training] as properly. Somebody’s coming in, and that’s simply how it’s. He’s a giant participant, a giant character and somebody who has confirmed himself.
“And he’s right here and has chosen Feyenoord, for the love of the sport, and he needs to regain the enjoyment, and he’s going to seek out that with us, and we’ll assist him with it.
“The method begins now, and we’re all actually trying ahead to it. And that’s the rationale that we’ve introduced him in.”
Right here for a brand new begin. No matter it takes. pic.twitter.com/0VJKP6s9Km
— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) February 13, 2026
Feyenoord at present sit second within the Eredivisie, 17 factors behind leaders PSV, who’ve performed a sport extra.
Sterling’s relationship with Van Persie is alleged to have helped tip the scales in Feyenoord’s favour, in addition to their Champions League qualification hopes.
“And that’s additionally the rationale, from Raheem’s standpoint, that he has chosen us, is as a result of we imagine in one another and that we’re going to assist one another in that course of,” Van Persie added.
“From Raheem’s standpoint, to be glad once more, and from our standpoint, in order that he will help us and offers us a very optimistic increase.”