ROTTERDAM, Netherlands – Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie has taken an unusual step to integrate new signing Raheem Sterling into the team, moving the entire squad to a training camp in Belgium. The move is necessitated by a delay in Sterling receiving a operate permit, preventing him from training or playing in the Netherlands for the time being. The situation highlights the lengths the club is going to in order to welcome the former Chelsea and Manchester City winger and reignite his career.
Sterling, 31, joined Feyenoord last week as a free agent after reaching a mutual termination of his contract with Chelsea in January. While 18 clubs across Europe reportedly expressed interest in acquiring the England international, Sterling ultimately chose Feyenoord due to his relationship with Van Persie and the club’s Champions League qualification hopes. He hasn’t seen competitive action since May 2025, having been frozen out at Chelsea under both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.
Van Persie explained the decision to relocate training to Tubize, Belgium – approximately 85 miles from Rotterdam – stating, “One of the reasons is that Sterling can train with the team.” He added, “But One can also work on our team culture there. It’s for Raheem and for those processes that we’re going to do this.” The club anticipates returning to its Rotterdam base after Wednesday’s training session, hoping the work permit will be approved before their Eredivisie match against Telstar on Sunday.
A Fresh Start for Sterling
The move to Feyenoord represents a significant shift for Sterling, who has spent his entire professional career in England with Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, and a loan spell at Arsenal. He has amassed 82 caps for England, scoring 20 goals, but hasn’t featured for the national team since 2022. Van Persie believes Sterling is motivated by a desire to rediscover his enjoyment of the game, something he struggled to find during his final months at Chelsea.
The “bomb squad” situation at Chelsea, where Sterling was excluded from first-team action and training, clearly took a toll. His departure from Stamford Bridge was seen as a necessary step to revitalize his career. Feyenoord, currently second in the Eredivisie table, 14 points behind league leaders PSV, offers a potentially ideal environment for Sterling to rebuild his form and confidence.
Van Persie’s Proactive Approach
This isn’t the first example of Van Persie going above and beyond to accommodate his new signing. The Dutch coach has demonstrated a clear commitment to integrating Sterling as quickly as possible, despite the bureaucratic hurdles. The decision to move the entire team to Belgium underscores his belief in Sterling’s potential contribution and his willingness to develop sacrifices to facilitate a smooth transition.
“We’re doing it for him,” Van Persie told reporters, as reported by Goal.com. “We’ll see each week when he’s fit for a match. That will take some time, but that seems logical to me, since he hasn’t played for six months.”
Challenges and Expectations
While the move to Belgium allows Sterling to train with his new teammates, the wait for the work permit remains a key concern. The club is hoping for a swift resolution to avoid delaying his competitive debut. The Eredivisie season is well underway, and Feyenoord will be eager to have Sterling available as soon as possible to bolster their title challenge.
Sterling’s last competitive appearance came during his loan spell at Arsenal in May 2025. Regaining match fitness and adapting to a new league and playing style will undoubtedly take time. However, with Van Persie’s support and a fresh start at Feyenoord, Sterling will be hoping to recapture the form that once made him one of the most exciting attacking players in Europe.
The next update regarding Sterling’s work permit is expected early next week, with the club hoping for positive news before Sunday’s match against Telstar. Fans and club officials alike will be closely monitoring the situation, eager to see Sterling make his long-awaited debut for Feyenoord.
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