Dujon Sterling Explained

Dujon Sterling
Full Name:Dujon Henriques Sterling[1]
Birth Date:24 October 1999[2]
Birth Place:Islington, England
Height:1.86 m
Position:Right-back
Currentclub:Rangers
Clubnumber:21
Youthyears1:2007–2017
Youthclubs1:Chelsea
Years1:2017–2023
Clubs1:Chelsea
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2018–2019
Clubs2:Coventry City (loan)
Caps2:38
Goals2:0
Years3:2019–2020
Clubs3:Wigan Athletic (loan)
Caps3:8
Goals3:0
Years4:2021–2022
Clubs4:Blackpool (loan)
Caps4:24
Goals4:0
Years5:2022–2023
Clubs5:Stoke City (loan)
Caps5:26
Goals5:0
Years6:2023–
Clubs6:Rangers
Caps6:24
Goals6:0
Nationalyears1:2014–2015
Nationalteam1:England U16
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2015–2016
Nationalteam2:England U17
Nationalcaps2:8
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2016–2018
Nationalteam3:England U19
Nationalcaps3:25
Nationalgoals3:1
Nationalyears4:2019
Nationalteam4:England U20
Nationalcaps4:1
Nationalgoals4:0
Club-Update:20:23, 30 March 2024 (UTC)

Dujon Henriques Sterling (born 24 October 1999) is an English footballer who plays as a right-back for side Rangers.

He started his career at Chelsea and had loans spells with Coventry City, Wigan Athletic, Blackpool and Stoke City.

Club career

Chelsea

Sterling joined Chelsea in 2007 at under-8 level and made his under-19 debut in a UEFA Youth League fixture against Sporting CP in December 2014.[3] Although, recently Sterling has been deployed as a wing-back, he has also been played as a winger or centre-forward and impressed during Chelsea's 2015–16 FA Youth Cup campaign, netting in both the semi-final and final.[4] Following an impressive campaign, Sterling was promoted to the U23 squad for the 2016–17 season as a 16-year-old and became a key figure, featuring twenty-four times and scoring four goals.[5] In October 2016, Sterling signed his first professional contract upon his 17th birthday.[3]

On 20 September 2017, Sterling made his Chelsea debut during their EFL Cup third round tie against Nottingham Forest, replacing Davide Zappacosta for the final 14 minutes of the 5–1 victory at Stamford Bridge.[6]

Loan to Coventry City

On 27 June 2018, it was agreed that Sterling would join newly promoted League One side Coventry City on a season-long loan.[7]

Loan to Wigan Athletic

On 1 August 2019, Sterling joined Championship side Wigan Athletic on a season-long loan deal.[8]

Loan to Blackpool

On 31 August 2021, Sterling returned to the Championship with Blackpool on a season-long loan deal after he signed a two-year contract extension with Chelsea.[9] He competed with Jordan Gabriel for the right-back berth, covered at left-back when injuries dictated, and made up part of a back three on occasion. He made 25 appearances for Blackpool in all competitions.[10]

He damaged his ankle ligaments in a match in early April 2022 and returned to Chelsea for treatment. His loan was kept active, however. At the end of the season, he posted on Twitter: "Big thanks to all the players, gaffer, coaches and staff for making my time at the club so positive." Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was reportedly impressed with Sterling's season, and informed him to prepare for the pre-season schedule.

Loan to Stoke City

On 1 September 2022, Sterling joined Stoke City on loan for the 2022–23 season.[11] Sterling made 28 appearances for Stoke as they finished in 16th position.

Rangers

On 30 May 2023, it was announced that Sterling had signed a four-year deal with Rangers.[12] Sterling was praised by Rangers manager Phillipe Clement for his versatility after performing well in central midfield during an injury crisis against Real Betis in a key Europa League fixture. [13]

Sterling won his first silverware in professional football when he won the 2023-24 Viaplay League Cup with Rangers, when they beat Aberdeen 1-0 in the final. Sterling was voted man of the match.[14]

On 7 March 2024, Sterling scored his first senior goal in the 5th minute of first half stoppage time against Benfica, off a cross from Fábio Silva, to put Rangers 2-1 ahead in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 tie.[15]

International career

Sterling was born in England to Jamaican parents.[16] Sterling has represented England from under-16 to under-20 level. He represented England Under-17 at the 2016 U-17 Euros[17] and was included in the team of the tournament.[18]

In September 2016, Sterling made his debut for the England Under-19 team in a 1–1 draw against the Netherlands.[19] In June 2017 he was selected to represent England at the 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[20] Despite a Sterling own goal, England defeated Portugal 2–1 in the final.[21] He was subsequently named in the team of the tournament.[22]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chelsea U232016–172020
2017–186060
Total8080
Chelsea2017–18Premier League0010100020
2021–22Premier League0000000000
2022–23Premier League0000000000
Total0010100020
Coventry City (loan)2018–19League One380001010400
Wigan Athletic (loan)2019–20Championship801010100
Blackpool (loan)2021–22Championship2401000250
Stoke City (loan)2022–23Championship2602000280
Rangers2023–24Scottish Premiership170104051271
Career total1130607051901401

Honours

Chelsea U23[3]

Rangers

2023–24[23]

England U19

2017[21]

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Notification of shirt numbers: Wigan Athletic . English Football League . 76 . 28 October 2019.
  2. Web site: Dujon Sterling . 11v11 . 26 September 2017.
  3. News: Dujon Sterling . TheChels.info . 20 September 2017.
  4. News: Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea: The FA Youth Cup Final (first leg) . The FA . 22 April 2016 . 20 September 2017.
  5. News: Dujon Sterling . Chelsea Official Site . 20 September 2017.
  6. News: Chelsea 5-1 Nottingham Forest . BBC Sport . 20 September 2017 . 20 September 2017.
  7. News: Chelsea's Sterling in Coventry loan . 27 June 2018 . BBC Sport . 27 June 2018.
  8. Web site: Latics complete season-long loan signing of Chelsea's Dujon Sterling. Wigan Athletic F.C.. 1 August 2019. 2 August 2019.
  9. Web site: Sterling's contract and switch to Championship. 31 August 2021. Chelsea F.C.. 31 August 2021.
  10. Web site: Chelsea's Dujon Sterling bids farewell as Blackpool loan comes to an end . 2022-05-31 . www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk . en.
  11. Web site: Neil secures Sterling loan . Stoke City . September 2022 . 1 September 2022.
  12. Web site: Rangers Confirm Signing Of Dujon Sterling . 2023-05-30 . www.rangers.co.uk . en-gb.
  13. Web site: 'Versatile' Sterling helped Clement 'find a solution' . BBC Sport . 16 December 2023 . BBC . 17 December 2023.
  14. Web site: Rangers win the Viaplay Cup | SPFL .
  15. News: Benfica 2-2 Rangers . BBC Sport . 7 March 2024.
  16. Web site: Dujon Sterling. worldfootball.net.
  17. Web site: England Under-17s squad named for Euro Championship. 4 May 2016 . The Football Association. 2 December 2017 .
  18. Web site: 2016 UEFA under-17 Team of the Tournament. UEFA.com. 2 December 2017.
  19. Web site: England U19s held to draw by Dutch but seal shoot-out win. The Football. Association. www.thefa.com. 13 February 2020.
  20. Web site: England squad selected for UEFA European Under-19 Championship. 26 June 2017 . The Football Association. 2 December 2017 .
  21. Web site: European Under-19 Championship: England beat Portugal in final. BBC Sport. 15 July 2017. 2 December 2017.
  22. Web site: 2017 UEFA under-19 Team of the Tournament. UEFA.com. 5 October 2017.
  23. Web site: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen. BBC. 17 December 2023. 17 December 2023.