Premier League Chelsea have released a statement paying tribute to Dujon Sterling after Rangers confirmed the pre-contract signing of the defender this week.
The Ibrox side have announced a four-year deal for the 23-year-old, who can play across the defence and in midfield, in what is being viewed as a solid deal for the Ibrox club.
Having come through the youth ranks at Chelsea, Sterling was regarded as one of the Stamford Bridge club’s brightest talents and the defender reportedly turned down an offer from the Blues to move to Rangers.
Spending last season on loan at Stoke City, Chelsea have paid tribute to the Academy success of Dujon Sterling in an official statement, which shows Rangers fans the impact the defender made in west London.
Chelsea praise “standout player” Dujon Sterling
In a glowing statement on the official Chelsea website, the Premier League outfit said:
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“Dujon Sterling will complete a permanent move to Rangers on 1 July.
“The defender has been at Chelsea since the age of eight and progressed through the ranks to become a standout player for our Academy sides.
“He won a joint-record three FA Youth Cups and the UEFA Youth League, with his good form at the younger age groups catching the eye of the senior coaching staff.
“He was handed his Chelsea debut as a substitute in a League Cup tie against Nottingham Forest in September 2017. His second and final Chelsea appearance was in a goalless FA Cup third round tie against Norwich City at Carrow Road a few months later.
“Sterling, who won the Under-19 European Championship with England, subsequently embarked on loan moves to four different clubs in League One and Championship, the last of which was with Stoke City.
“Everybody at Chelsea would like to thank Dujon for his service. We wish him the best of luck in Scotland.”
Blues statement gives Rangers fan Sterling insight
Rangers fans will enjoy these comments and it is a boost to any of those who may have had doubts about the move for Sterling.
The versatile defender was clearly well thought-of at Stamford Bridge, and it looks like Rangers have secured themselves a fine young man as well as a fine young football talent.
Having made two appearances in his Chelsea career, one in the EFL Cup and the other in the FA Cup, Sterling moves to Rangers off the back of an impressive season on loan at Stoke.
Sterling becomes the fourth signing of the Michael Beale era at Rangers, with signings number five and six reportedly to follow imminently.