SOCCER: Sterling makes Dutch league debut in Feyenoord victory

Former England international Raheem Sterling made his debut for Feyenoord on Sunday, coming on in the final 30 minutes of their narrow 2-1 home win against struggling Telstar in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Sterling received a rapturous welcome at De Kuip in Rotterdam as Feyenoord held onto second place in the standings, cutting the gap to runaway leaders PSV Eindhoven to 14 points. However, the visitors gave the hosts a tough fight, and Feyenoord had to hold on grimly for the victory against the side second from the bottom.

The 31-year-old attempted a few dribbles down the left flank in what was otherwise an unremarkable debut, though it had been highly anticipated by fans.

Earlier in the week, Feyenoord coach Robin van Persie moved the team’s training sessions to neighboring Belgium to allow Sterling to work with his new teammates. Dutch law prohibited the 31-year-old from training with the club until he received a work permit, which was issued on Thursday.

Sterling had signed for Feyenoord a week earlier. To get him match-ready as quickly as possible, the club held sessions at the Belgian football association's training facility in Tubize on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Sterling joined Feyenoord as a free agent after his contract with Chelsea was terminated last month. He signed a contract to stay with the Dutch side until the end of the season.

The forward has previously played for Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea, scoring 20 goals in 82 appearances for the England national team.

-Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Toby Davis/Reuters