Raheem Sterling makes Dutch league debut in Feyenoord victory

Former England midfielder Raheem Sterling made his Feyenoord debut on Sunday, participating in the second half of a close 2-1 victory over struggling Telstar in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Feyenoord narrowed the distance to dominant leaders PSV Eindhoven to 14 points, and Sterling was greeted with joy at De Kuip in Rotterdam. However, they had to fight valiantly to defeat the team that was second from the bottom.

In an otherwise unimpressive start that was much anticipated, the 31-year-old tried a couple dribbles off the left wing.

To give Sterling more time to work with his new colleagues, Feyenoord coach Robin van Persie moved their training to neighboring Belgium at the beginning of the week.

The 31-year-old Briton was not allowed to practice with Feyenoord in the Netherlands until he obtained a work visa, which was granted on Thursday.

The club traveled across the border to the Belgian Football Association’s training facility at Tubize for practices on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in order to prepare Sterling for action as soon as possible after he signed with Feyenoord a week earlier.