Raheem Sterling is a professional footballer from Jamaica who plays football in the English Premier League for Manchester City. A young and energetic player, Sterling’s wit and unique style of play has seen him emerge as one of the few young players in the world widely seen by pundits as one of the best. Evident in games he features in for Manchester City, the young English star has been one of the solid bases of the Manchester City, which has seen the team enjoy several successes in recent years. In this Raheem Sterling biography facts, childhood, career and personal life, we review the profile and life (from childhood to present) of the astute playmaker.
Table of Contents
Raheem Sterling Biography Facts, Age, Nicknames, Family, Parents
- Full Name: Raheem Shaquille Sterling
- Nicknames: Martin Luther King
- Date of Birth: 8 December 1994
- Age: 29 years old
- Place of Birth: Kingston, Jamaica
- Nationality: Jamaican, English
- Height: 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
- Weight: 69 kg
- Parents:
- Father: Robert Rashford
- Mother: Nadine Sterling
- Siblings:
- Brother: Kingston Sterling
- Sisters: Kimberley Sterling, Lakima Sterling
- Marital Status: Single
- Partner: Paige Milian
- Children:
- Daughter: Melody Rose Sterling
- Son: Thiago Sterling
- Occupation: Footballer
- Playing Position: Forward
- Strong Foot: Right
- Current Club: Manchester City
- Jersey/Kit Number: 7 (Manchester United) 10 (England National team)
- Salary: €15 million per year
- Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Raheem Sterling Childhood Story, Family Background & Early Life
Born on 8 December 1994 to a poor family in Jamaica, Raheem Shaquille Sterling grew up in a crime-filled environment until the age of 5, when he and his mother emigrated to Europe, precisely England. In England, his mother who hoped to find more opportunities had to deal with financial woes, but still managed to raise young Sterling.
Sterling soon became interested in football in England. At school, Copland Community School, he began pursuing his interest in football actively. But as young Sterling progressed in football, he received news about his father’s murder. Struck by grief and anger, young Sterling channelled those overwhelming emotions into his game. He soon joined a local club Alpha & Omega but was eventually picked and began training at Queens Park Rangers academy.
Raheem Sterling Professional Career, Achievements, & Awards
Liverpool (2010–2015)
In 2010, 16 years old Sterling was signed by Liverpool from Queens Park Rangers for about £600,000 a fee which could increase to as much as £5 million depending on the games he played for the club’s first team. Through 2010 to early 2012, Sterling remained a regular player for Liverpool’s youth team. In March 2012, he came in as a substitute for Liverpool in an EPL game against Wigan Athletic. Sterling who aged 17, thus became the third-youngest player to ever play for Liverpool. In a Europa League qualifying game against Gomel, Sterling made his European debut. A week after that, he registered his first goal for Liverpool in a friendly match against Bayern Leverkusen.
Sterling started in a game for Liverpool in the North West Derby against Manchester City which ended in a draw. He then went on to feature regularly in games without being substituted. In October 2012, in an EPL game against Reading, he earned his first competitive goal for Liverpool which made him the second-youngest Liverpool player to score in a competitive game for Liverpool. In December 2012, he agreed to a contract extension with Liverpool.
In his second season with Liverpool, Sterling was phenomenal. He scored against notable opponents such as Tottenham Hotspurs, Arsenal and Manchester City. As a result, he was nominated the PFA Young Player of the Year award in April. That month, he also was named Liverpool’s Player of the Month. At the conclusion of the season, he was awarded Liverpool’s Young Player of the Year award.
He began his last season at Liverpool, the 2014/15 season on a wonderful note, by pushing Liverpool to away victory over Tottenham Hotspurs in August. As a result, he was named Liverpool’s Player of the Month for August. The next month he debuted in the Champions League. In December he recorded his 100th cap for Liverpool. That month, he was announced as the recipient of the Golden boy award. He continued in top form through the season and was named the club’s young player of the season for the second successive season. He was also nominated again for the PFA Young Player of the Season award.
Following his refusal to sign a new contract with Liverpool, he entered a tense contract dispute with the club, which saw him give an interview to BBC which was unsanctioned by the club, where he revealed he turned down a deal from the club. He then refused to join the team on a preseason tour to Asia. Manchester City made bids for £30 and £40 million for the player but Liverpool turned down the deal stating he was valued at £50 million.
Manchester City (2015–present)
In July 2015, Sterling made the move to City for £44 million, with £5 million add-ons. He then sealed a five-year deal and debuted against West Brom. He soon scored his first goal for City in a game against Watford. In October 2015, he registered his first hat-trick for the club. In November he scored his first Champions League goal. He continued in good form but after he suffered a groin injury in March 2016, which kept him on the sidelines for weeks, he no longer had a spot in the starting squad.
Following the arrival of Guardiola to City, Sterling began playing regularly and as the 2016/17 season kicked off, he won the EPL Player of the Month award. In the 2017/18 season, he had one of the best seasons of his career as he scored 18 goals in the season which is the most in his career. In the 2018/19 season, his form improved. In August 2018, he registered his 50th EPL game for City. In November, he went on to sign a three-year contract extension with Manchester City. In December 2018, he was subjected to racism in a game against Chelsea but that did nothing in slowing his amazing form.
He helped City clinched the Carabao Cup in February 2019, after he scored the winning penalty. In March 2019, in the space of 13 minutes, he registered his first hat-trick since 2015. He helped his side to the UEFA Champions League Quarter-final where they lost to Tottenham Hotspurs. He then went on to win the domestic league as well as the FA Cup with City. It was a historic moment for Sterling as he won a domestic treble with Manchester City. His wonderful performance during the season was rewarded with the PFA Young Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year awards. He also was named to the PFA EPL Team of the Year.
He began his 2019/20 season by winning the Community Shield with City. In City’s first league fixture of the season, he registered a hat-trick. In October, he scored a hat-trick in the Champions League.
Raheem Sterling International Career
As a result of the update to the home Nations agreement which allowed players who have been educated in a country for five years or more to play for the country’s national team, Sterling became eligible to play for England. He was allowed to represent England at the U-17 World Cup held in 2011. Though he had been an unused substitute at previous games for the English senior team, he debuted for the senior team in November 2012 in a friendly match against Sweden.
He represented England at the 2014 World Cup, the 2016 Euros qualifiers as well as the tournament and 2018 World Cup. He was also part of Team England’s contingent at the 2019 Nations league. He registered his first hat-trick for England in March 2019 in a Euro 2020 qualifiers match against the Czech Republic. He was dropped from the English senior team squad in November 2019, after he clashed England national teammate Joe Gomez.
Sterling’s Salary Breakdown
| Salary Timeframe | Approx. Earnings (£) |
|---|---|
| Per second | £0.50 |
| Per minute | £30 |
| Per hour | £1,780 |
| Per day | £42,740 |
| Per week | £300,000 |
| Per month | £1,300,000 |
| Per year | £15,600,000 |
Raheem Sterling Personal Life & Relationships
Sterling is in a relationship with his fiancee Paige Milian, a former JD Sports worker and they both welcomed a son named Thiago Sterling in 2017. He has a daughter named Melody Rose sterling who was born in 2012 from a previous relationship with his former girlfriend Melisa Clark.
Sterling’s father was murdered when he was a young boy. His mother is religious and influences him. Sterling though has admitted that he’s not 100% religious but holds his beliefs dear to his heart.
Sterling has been accused of physical assault by his ex-girlfriend as well as an unidentified woman but he has been acquitted on all occasions due to lack of evidence. He has a tattoo of an M16 on his leg, which he links to the murder of his father. British tabloids such as The Sun have been said to be notorious in their unfair treatment of Sterling.
Sterling has been subjected to several racist comments and abuse, for being black.
Sterling’s generous donations to charity are widely publicised such as his donation to the Grenfell tower victims.
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