Arsenal have officially welcomed Thiago Sterling into their renowned Hale End academy, where he joins the club’s under-9 side in what is destined to be the beginning of a bright footballing future. The exciting news was shared on social media by his mother, Paige Milian, who took to Instagram to celebrate her son's achievement with a heartfelt message.
In the emotional post, Paige expressed immense pride in Thiago’s dedication and growth, highlighting the effort he's put in over the past year. She wrote:
"Beyond proud of my firstborn son Thiago for signing with @officialarsenalacademy U9’s. The growth, dedication, and hard work you’ve shown over the past year have been incredible to watch; you’ve earned this. This is just the beginning, so keep your feet on the ground, stay humble, and keep grinding—the journey doesn’t stop here. Let’s go TT."
As Thiago embarks on his journey with the Gunners, his father, Raheem Sterling, finds himself at a professional crossroads. Once a key figure in English football, Sterling's recent move to Arsenal on a season-long loan from Chelsea failed to meet expectations.
After falling out of favour with new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca at the start of last season, Sterling made a last-minute switch to North London. Despite hopes for a resurgence, the 29-year-old winger struggled to find form at the Emirates. He managed only seven Premier League starts and scored just once across all competitions—marking his least productive top-flight campaign since his debut season with Liverpool in 2011/12.
Sterling’s short-lived spell with Arsenal has now come to an end, with the club deciding not to pursue a permanent move. Meanwhile, Chelsea are also reportedly not considering reintegrating him into their plans, leaving the England international’s next move uncertain. Off the pitch, Sterling shares four children with fiancée Paige Milian, including Thiago, and has a teenage daughter, Melody Rose, from a previous relationship.