Raheem Sterling flew out to Australia on Wednesday morning to join his new Manchester City team-mates on the club's pre-season tour the day after completing his _49million switch from Liverpool.
City had been chasing Sterling all summer and finally sealed a deal for the former Liverpool forward on Tuesday after the player successfully underwent his medical and agreed terms on a five-year contract worth _180,000 a week.
And there was no time to allow the move to sink in as the 20-year-old packed his bags and jetted off Down Under to prepare for a potential debut against Manchester City's sister club Melbourne City.









Manchester City's new _49million signing Raheem Sterling arrives at Manchester Airport on Wednesday






Sterling's Twitter profile still says he is a Liverpool player but he did update his Instagram account

Sterling was pictured arriving at Manchester Airport shortly after 7am on Wednesday morning wearing a full City tracksuit ahead of boarding a flight to Abu Dhabi before going on to Australia.



City play Melbourne, part of the City Football Group, just outside Brisbane on the Gold Coast this Saturday and Sterling is in line to pull on the sky blue shirt for the very first time.
Such has been the pace with which the transfer has progressed since the clubs agreed a fee on Sunday, it has slipped Sterling's mind that he needs to update his social media biographies.





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The former Queens Park Rangers youngster's Twitter profile still reads that he is a Liverpool player while his background picture still shows his name on the back of a Liverpool shirt, although he did find the time to update his Instagram account with his new details.

After completing the move on Tuesday, Sterling couldn't resist singing the praises of his much-maligned agent Aidy Ward.
The England winger put an end to one of the most acrimonious transfer sagas of modern times by sealing his switch from Liverpool. 






Sterling, pictured with children from City's U6 academy squad, has signed for City from rivals Liverpool








The former Liverpool winger signs his City contract alongside the club's director of football Txiki Begiristain










Sterling had special praise for his family and agent Aidy Ward (right), who he thanked for helping him focus

















Manchester City vs [url=https://www.houzz.com/photos/query/Melbourne]Melbourne City - Saturday July 18, CBus Super Stadium, Brisbane - 8am BST
Manchester City vs Roma - Tuesday July 21, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne - 10.45am BST
Manchester City vs Real Madrid, Friday July 24, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne - 10am BST



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Sterling's representative Ward went public with the player's unhappiness at Anfield towards the end of last season, attracting criticism for saying: ‘He's not signing for _900,000 a week.' 
Ward also claimed the midfielder's relationship with manager Brendan Rodgers had broken down, something denied by the Liverpool boss.
But following his medical at City, Sterling told the club's website: ‘I'd like to thank all the people around me - my mum and sisters, my management team, and Aidy Ward for helping me focus and get where I am today. I'm just glad it's all over and done with.'
Sterling made it clear in the second half of last season that he was not interested in extending his contract at Liverpool and a television interview in April which he said he wasn't a ‘money-grabbing 20-year-old' backfired as a host of former Liverpool players and other figures in the sport took him to task.
But, having made the switch, Sterling found time to praise Rodgers.
‘I'd like to thank Rafa Benitez for taking me to Liverpool as a 15-year-old and Kenny Dalglish for showing such faith in me and putting me in at such a young age. 





Sterling praised former manager Brendan Rodgers despite agent Ward suggesting the duo had fallen out 










The 20-year-old also paid tribute to Rafa Benitez (left) and Kenny Dalglish, his two other former managers



RAHEEM STERLING STATS 2014-15 

Total appearances                         35
Goals scored                                   7
Shot accuracy                                53%
Pass accuracy                                81%
Yellow/red card                              5/0



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‘Finally I'd like to thank Brendan Rodgers for giving me a chance and an opportunity in the first team, giving me my full debut and giving me a real chance to cement a place in the first team and show the world my talents.' 
Sterling, who will wear the No 7 shirt at the Etihad Stadium, said he was looking forward to meeting his new team-mates and start his quest for trophies, while admitting he had spoken to goalkeeper Joe Hart about the move.
He added: 'The world class players that are here and a squad that are capable of winning things year in, year out.
‘The more quality players that are around you, the more quality it brings out in you so I can't wait to get started and play alongside them.
‘I spoke to him [Hart] briefly on the last England trip. He just told me what a really good football club this was and how nice the fans are.'





The winger signs the shirt of a young City supporter as fans queue up to welcome the club's latest arrival













His new manager, Manuel Pellegrini hopes those talents will help wrestle the Barclays Premier League title from Chelsea. ‘Raheem Sterling is one of the best attacking players in world football,' said Pellegrini.
‘He is a young player with outstanding ability, and I am sure the Manchester City fans will be very excited about seeing him in action for the team.'
The fee - made up of _44m plus _5m in potential add-ons - means Sterling is the most expensive English footballer to date, with the deal having topped Andy Carroll's _35m move from Newcastle to Liverpool in 2011.
He also becomes Manchester City's record signing and the third most expensive purchase made by a Premier League club after Angel di Maria and Buy Transferwise Accounts Fernando Torres - though he will hope to prove better value for money than them.





The move has seen Sterling become the most expensive British player in history

Championship club Queens Park Rangers, who sold Sterling for _500,000 in 2010, will net _9.8m as part of a 20 per cent sell-on clause they agreed with Liverpool at the time. 
His arrival is important for City as they struggle to find enough homegrown players to fill their Premier League and Champions League quotas.




February 2010
Liverpool beat off competition from Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal to sign 15-year-old Sterling from Queens Park Rangers for an initial fee of around _500,000.
February 2011
Sterling scored five goals in Liverpool's 9-0 win over Southend in an FA Youth Cup.
March 2012
At the age of 17 years and 107 days, Sterling made his senior debut by coming on as a substitute in Liverpool's 2-1 defeat by Wigan. Then manager Kenny Dalglish brough the teenager on for Dirk Kuyt with six minutes to go.
October 2012
Sterling scored his first competitive goal for Liverpool at senior level against Reading at Anfield. His 29th-minute strike earned Brendan Rodgers' side a 1-0 victory.
April 2014
After nearly a full season of playing time for the first team, Sterling became a key part of Liverpool's title charge and scored three big goals in this month. First, he left Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart for dead in a 3-2 win over Manchester City at Anfield and was then the difference a week later in a 3-2 win over Norwich.
June 2014
Sterling was one of few positives to emerge for England from a disappointing World Cup campaign. The Liverpool forward played in all three group games in Brazil.
August 2014
Sterling picked up where he left off from the previous season by scoring two goals in three games - one in a 2-1 win over Southampon at Anfield and the other at White Hart Lane in a 3-0 victory.
October 2014
After a busy start to the season with Liverpool, Sterling claimed he was 'too tired' to play for England. He played 45 minutes against San Marino before being substituted and came off the bench for the final half hour against Estonia a few days later.
January 2015
Sterling was given a mid-season break by Liverpool manager Rodgers to prevent him from burnout after a lot of playing time in the first half of the campaign and a World Cup the summer before. Sterling went on holiday to Jamaica and missed two matches during his time away.
April 2015
In an interview with the BBC, Sterling revealed he rejected a new Liverpool contract. The teenager also added that he wanted to win things and his decision was not about money.
In response, Rodgers said in a press conference that Sterling would not be going anywhere.
May 2015
Sterling tells Rodgers he wants to leave Liverpool despite there being one more game left in the season.
Sterling is booed by the away fans during Liverpool's 6-1 defeat at Stoke on the final day of the season.  
Sterling's agent claims Sterling will not sign a new contract with the club, who respond by canceling a scheduled meeting with star and his representative. 
June 2015
Sterling is booed by home fans during England's friendly with the Republic of Ireland. 
Liverpool reject two bids - the second worth _40m - for Sterling from Man City.  
July 2015
Sterling returns to pre-season training but tells Rodgers he doesn't want to go on the club's tour.
Liverpool accept third offer of _49m for Sterling ahead of a medical and agreeing personal terms.
Manchester City announce the record signing of Sterling from Liverpool on a five-year contract.



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Manchester City complete _49m Raheem Sterling signing from Liverpool as Manuel Pellegrini hails capture of 'one of the best attacking players in world football' | Daily Mail Online