Twitter Reacts as Raheem Sterling Officially Joins Manchester City

Fans of excruciatingly long summer transfer sagas were dealt a huge blow on Tuesday when Raheem Sterling formally put pen to paper at Manchester City. The 20-year-old will cost his new side £44 million initially, while the player will collect a modest weekly pay packet of £200,000, according to the Guardian. 

"

Raheem Sterling: Now he's here #MCFC http://t.co/GbMlqbeJnm https://t.co/fb6IR5S6AW

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) July 14, 2015"

Sterling has long been a divisive figure in the beautiful game, and it seemed clear that there would be few tears shed at Anfield upon his departure: 

"

Hope Sterling's career falls to tatters. Waste of space that kid.

— Danny Moss (@DanBasildonBlue) July 14, 2015"

"

I'm genuinely made up Sterling's gone. Good player but nobody is bigger than LFC especially a 20 year old kid, rebuild and move on now.

— Mark Hughes (@MarkHughes_) July 14, 2015"

While Reds fans had around 49 million reasons to be pleased with the transaction, City's supporters were also jubilant:

"

.@MCFC @sterling31 Over the moon with new signing!!#WelcomeRaheem Welcome to Manchester ✌

— Ashley (@AshleyToad) July 14, 2015"

"

Absolutely buzzing! One down, two to go! #WelcomeRaheem pic.twitter.com/ec2vEDDFxn

— Abby Hilton (@Abby_Hilton) July 14, 2015"

"

#WELCOMERAHEEM happy to see @sterling31 in my team colors, first Jamaican to win the BPL... Hehe best of luck bredda...

— SwaggKiddShav (@SwagKiddShav) July 14, 2015"

Predictably, the banter and memes were in full flow shortly after the transfer announcement was made:

"

Sterling's agent deserves applause for advising his client to be English. Savvy. Get paid.

— Kevin Brown (@FriendlyFAUX) July 14, 2015"

"

Suarez, Gerrard, & Sterling all gone in just over a year of nearly winning the title.. pic.twitter.com/u3eliAVXvQ

— Soccer St. (@SoccerSt_) July 14, 2015"

One of the biggest talking points surrounding the deal was—quite understandably—the phenomenal amounts of cash involved. Twitter had plenty to say about the financial arrangements:

"

We can only imagine what Raheem Sterling's first full day at #MCFC will be like: http://t.co/SCZg8hnFEp pic.twitter.com/hobJ3o92LL

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) July 14, 2015"

"

Sterling deal is worth £180,000-a-week http://t.co/NEPsGNhbnD

— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) July 14, 2015"

"

Sterling will earn £200k a week: £28.5k a day. £1.2k an hour. £19.8 a minute. 33p a second.

— • MUFC • (@RonaIdinhos) July 14, 2015"

"

Sterling scored 7 goals last season, now sold for £49M. Berahino scored 14 goals last season, how much is he worth? #JustWondering

— Woodward Time (@Scholesy_Giggsy) July 14, 2015"

One would assume that a £49 million player with a first-XI squad number would slot straight into the starting lineup, but many are not so sure:

"

BREAKING NEWS: Sterling completes City medical. The question is how fit do you have to be to sit the bench at Man City?

— EŃK (@OziLInstinct) July 14, 2015"

"

How thick must you be to think Sterling won't be first choice? 49 million for the bench? FFS get outta here 

— Paul O Keefe (@pokeefe1) July 14, 2015"

"

#WelcomeRaheem We've been waiting for you!! #MCFC #LFC pic.twitter.com/XBMBDqAQLk

— Another LFC fan (@Evo1983) July 14, 2015"

However, despite the looming threat of the bench, many were confidently predicting a successful future for the precocious winger:

"

Sterling is going to have a great season

— Ragnar Lothbrook (@MosesIsiahLima) July 14, 2015"

"

I pray to god sterling proves everyone wrong and just bangs in 30+ goals just for bants

— Keanu (@KeanuBoss) July 14, 2015"

"

£49m is a lot of money but Sterling is still an upgrade on Jesus Navas for Man City.

— Ben (@StellaCourtois) July 14, 2015"

It's not often that a club is happy to see one of its star players depart, but the terse manner in which Liverpool confirmed the departure on their official site encapsulated the mood at Merseyside. The more salubrious parting messages offered to other players were quickly pointed out by several Twitter users:

"

The difference pic.twitter.com/QGkE5Tm6W6

— GeniusFootball (@GeniusFootball) July 14, 2015"

On the back of a chilly exit from Anfield, Sterling will join up with his new teammates in Australia in the coming days to begin a new chapter in his career. No pressure, Raheem: