Raheem Sterling has moved to Arsenal in a season-long loan deal completed in the final minutes of the transfer window.
New Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca had made clear Sterling, 29, was not going to be in his plans for the coming season, forcing the England forward to seek a move elsewhere.
London rivals Arsenal became an “attractive destination” for him, according to Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol, and he arrived at the club’s training ground ahead of the 11pm deadline on Friday.
The north London side had until 1am to complete the paperwork.
Solhekol said Sterling is not “just motivated by money” and was “never going to move to Saudi Arabia”.
“Arsenal is an attractive destination for him – a model club, challenging for titles, in the Champions League,” he said.
“And really importantly, Raheem Sterling’s family are settled in London.”
Sterling, who has 82 caps for England, wants to win more trophies, he added, and to reclaim a spot back in the Three Lions squad after he was left out for Euro 2024.
Sancho and Toney move on
In a busy end to the transfer window, Manchester United forward Jadon Sancho sealed a loan move to Chelsea in a deal reported to include an obligation to buy at the end of the season.
Jadon Sancho. Pic: PA
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Sancho, 24, had fallen out of favour with United manager Erik ten Hag and spent the second half of last season on loan back at former club Borussia Dortmund in Germany.
Another England forward, Ivan Toney, is set to complete a £40m move to Saudi club Al Ahli from Brentford, after months of speculation linking him with other Premier League clubs.
Meanwhile, United confirmed their fifth first-team signing of the summer, with Uruguayan international Manuel Ugarte making a £42m move to Old Trafford.