Raheem Sterling has announced his Manchester City departure, saying 'I came as a boy and leaving as a man.'
The 27-year-old has agreed personal terms on a five-year contract with the option of a further 12 months in a £50m move to Chelsea. The announcement is expected within the next 24 hours.
However, Sterling published a genuine goodbye message to his former teammates, the club's staff, and City fans on his Twitter account on Wednesday.
"I arrived in Manchester a 20-year-old. Today, I leave as a man," the England forward said. "Seven seasons, 11 major trophies, a lifetime of memories."
He added: "I am thankful for the ups and downs, as it's the downs that have tested my strength and resolve and enable me to stand here in front of you as the best possible version of myself."
The Cityzens signed Sterling from Merseyside club Liverpool in 2015 for £49m, and he went on to have a trophy-laden spell at the Etihad, scoring 131 goals in 339 games, winning four Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and five League Cups.
Sterling will become Chelsea's first signing of the Todd Boehly-led era, and Tuchel will be delighted with the deal as he topped the German's shortlist of attacking targets.
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