JUST IN: Sterling hints at Man City EXIT
RAHEEM STERLING has admitted he was surprised to have been stopped by fans whilst in New York, whilst suggesting that he would like to play in America later in his career.
The Manchester City star was speaking at the Wall Street Journal Sport’s Future of Everything Festival when he hinted he could cross the pond at some point before he retires.
Sterling was Man City’s main man this season, being named as the PFA Young Player of the Year and the Football Writers’ Player of the Year.
The winger scored 17 goals in the league this year, as well as five in the Champions League.
With another four years remaining on his contract, there is no danger of the 24-year-old leaving the Etihad any time soon.
But he did suggest he might like to cross over to America later in his career, with the idea of New York City FC – a MLS franchise owned by Manchester City’s City Football Group – a possibility.
“English football has grown massively over here,” he told the Wall Street Journal.
“It wasn’t like that in the past and it’ll continue to get bigger.
“I was surprised walking out of the hotel today and being recognised by one or two people. I didn’t expect that over here.
“This is a country I would one day love to be able to come to.
“Your weather is a lot better over here than ours is.
“Hopefully one day I can bring my family over here.”
Raheem Sterling praised the impact of Major League Soccer in England, and revealed that he and his team-mates enjoy watching it.
“There’s always games on our tele at the training ground, we’re either watching this or the Australian League,” he continued.
“For sure, this [MLS] is growing in the UK, and people are really taking it in and want to come over.
“[I] hopefully want to have a career here as well.”