Sterling to Euro

New Rangers signing turned down Stoke for shot at Champions League

NEW Rangers signing Dujon Sterling has revealed he turned down an option to stay at Stoke City in favour of sampling European football at Ibrox.

Michael Beale made his second signing of the summer when the club announced the capture of Sterling on a fouryear contract, as the 23-yearold arrived from Chelsea.

Joining the London-based Premier League outfit at just eight years old, Sterling worked his way through the academy before making his debut for the first team against Nottingham Forest in an EFL cup tie in September 2017.

He gained experience with loan spells at Coventry City, Wigan Athletic, Blackpool and Stoke City and has represented England up to Under-20 level.

Sterling is now ready to strut his stuff on the European stage though and he hopes to secure Champions League football with Beale’s side when the qualifiers come around at the beginning of August.

He said: “I am really excited to come to such a big club, there’s a lot of history and the supporters are so passionate, so I am thrilled.

“I wasn’t expecting to make my mind up about my future this quickly, but the gaffer came in for me straight away and what he proposed to me was everything that I believe I need.

“We were on the same wavelength, he believes in me and I believe in what he is trying to do as well so it was a no-brainer for me to come. As soon as I left my meeting with the gaffer I said I am signing here.

“I knew I had a lot of clubs in for me especially as I was about to become a free agent. European football was a no-brainer for me. You can’t pass that up.

“Even though I loved Stoke, I would have gone back, if you get the chance to play European football so early in your career you have to take it.”

Sterling believes his previous loan experience will help as he aims to hit the ground running in the Scottish Premiership come the start of next season.

He continued: “All of my loans were different experiences. Coventry that was my first one and I was really young at the time.

“It was difficult at the start as it was a case of ‘wow, this is men’s football now’. Any mistake can cost you three