Sterling, 27, born in Jamaica, arrived at City seven years ago from Liverpool.

In Manchester, he won four league titles, a League Cup and played in a Champions League final.

Manchester City midfielders Raheem Sterling (L) and Algerian Riyad Mahrez pose with the Premier League trophy at the end of their Premier League Round of 38 match against Everton on May 23, 2021 in Etihad Stadium PETER POWELL POOL/AFP/Archives

"I have achieved a lot in my career, but there is still so much to achieve," reacted the player on the Chelsea website.

"London is my home, the place where it all started for me," he added.

"And it's amazing to be given the opportunity to play in front of my friends and family, week in and week out, at Stamford Bridge."

He is Chelsea's first recruit since the club was taken over by an American consortium, following the forced departure of former Russian president Roman Abramovich after the invasion of Ukraine.

Sterling had earlier announced his departure from City on social media.

"Seven seasons, eleven major trophies, a lifetime of memories," he tweeted.

"What a long way!"

"I came to Manchester when I was 20. Today I leave as a man. Thank you for your unwavering support. It has been an honor to wear the Manchester City shirt," Sterling added as a farewell message.

English striker Raheem Sterling, in training, May 3, 2022 at Manchester City Oli SCARFF AFP / Archives

According to Sky Sports, Chelsea would offer the services of the English striker for 47.5 million pounds (56.1 million euros), while the BBC announces a transfer of 50 million pounds (59.1 million euros). euros) with bonuses.

A key player in the early years of Pep Guardiola's reign at City, he scored 131 goals in 337 appearances for the English champions.

Manchester City midfielder Raheem Sterling scores against Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker during the Premier League matchday 32 on April 10, 2022 at the Etihad Stadium Paul ELLIS AFP/Archives

However, his starting status at City was undermined last summer by the arrival of Jack Grealish for a fee of £100m - a Premier League record - and the emergence of Phil Foden from from the club's training center.

Chelsea, for their part, were in search of a goalscorer after Romelu Lukaku left on loan for Inter Milan.

In the national team, Sterling has 77 caps and 19 goals.

© 2022 AFP