OFFICIAL : City seal Sterling deal

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Liverpool striker Raheem Sterling. The England international has penned down a five-year contract at the Etihad and will earn a reported £200,000-a-week. Sources suggest that Citizens will pay £44 million upfront and £5 million as add-ons later based on his performances. Sterling, now the most expensive English player ever, will wear the No. 7 shirt next season vacated by James Milner.

City had two bids rejected for the same player last month with Liverpool playing hard-ball over the fee. But with current reports suggesting that Sterling was indeed keen on quitting the Mersyside club this summer, City splashed the cash to avoid an unnecessary bidding war with other European elites.

Reports also suggest that Championship side QPR would be entitled to as much as £9.8 million out of the deal. Sterling moved to Liverpool in 2010 from QPR and the contract included a sell-on clause which would fetch QPR 20% of the total transfer fee if he was to be sold.

The 20-year-old has been been tipped to leave Anfield ever since he refused a contract extension last season and has been chided by many pundits and legends of the game latest being Steven Gerrard. Liverpool had to reluctantly accept the bid from City which is just  £1 million less from their evaluation of the player but will become the second most expensive British player of all time after Gareth Bale.

City were able to complete the deal rather easily as they were released from Financial Fair Play sanctions earlier this month. They were also short on their home-grown quota but will be delighted to have brought a player of Sterling’s calibre to the Etihad.

Sources : SKY SPORTS , The Telegraph.