London, July 15 (IANS) England winger Raheem Sterling has thanked his former team Liverpool’s managers for his progress after completing a move to rival club Manchester City.
Sterling made his move to City for 49 million pounds becoming the most expensive English player ever on Tuesday. He paid tributes to the three managers under whom he played at Liverpool.
But following his medical at City on Tuesday, Sterling told the club’s website: “I’d like to thank all the people around me — my mum and sisters, my management team, and Aidy Ward for helping me focus and get where I am today. I’m just glad it’s all over and done with,” reports dailymail.co.uk on Wednesday.
“I’d like to thank Rafa Benitez for taking me to Liverpool as a 15-year-old and Kenny Dalglish for showing such faith in me and putting me in at such a young age. Finally I’d like to thank Brendan Rodgers for giving me a chance and an opportunity in the first team, giving me my full debut and giving me a real chance to cement a place in the first team and show the world my talents.”
The 20-year-old said he spoke to City goalkeeper and his England teammate Joe Hart prior to his switch and was looking forwrd to playing alongside world class players.
“The world class players that are here and a squad that are capable of winning things year in, year out. The more quality players that are around you, the more quality it brings out in you so I can’t wait to get started and play alongside them,” he said.
“I spoke to him (Hart) briefly on the last England trip. He just told me what a really good football club this was and how nice the fans are” for his new club.”
His new club manager Manuel Pellegrini hopes Sterling will help City wrestle the English Premier League title from Chelsea.
“Sterling is one of the best attacking players in world football, He is a young player with outstanding ability, and I am sure the Manchester City fans will be very excited about seeing him in action for the team.”