Raheem Sterling has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and drug offences following a motorway crash.

The former Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea forward admitted three charges at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. 

Sterling, who was earlier pictured arriving at court wearing a blue jacket and grey trousers, was arrested in May after his £270,000 Lamborghini collided with motorway barriers at around 9am on the M3 in Hampshire.

Upon each of the charges being read out, Sterling was invited to plead guilty or not guilty and he replied: “Guilty” each time.

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesman said last month: “Raheem Sterling, 31, from Berkshire, has been charged for the following offences: dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation, failing to provide a specimen.

“The charges come following a single vehicle collision, involving a Lamborghini, on the M3 southbound, close to the Minley Interchange, on 28 May, 2026.

“No other vehicles were involved, and no injuries were reported.”

Dangerous driving carries a maximum two-year prison sentence if found guilty. Nitrous oxide is commonly known as laughing gas. Its use has become an issue within football. It is categorised as a class-C drug, possession of which carries a maximum prison term of two years, but more often results in a fine or community service order.

Sterling, who was released on bail following his arrest, has been without a club since his stint at Feyenoord at the end of last season after severing ties with Chelsea.

The forward previously enjoyed success at City after joining them from Liverpool in 2015, winning four Premier League titles, five League Cups and the FA Cup. His move to Chelsea in 2022 coincided with a steep decline in his form.

His loan at Arsenal two seasons ago did not result in a permanent move despite being supported by Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, who had worked with him at City. Sterling was without a team until February, when he had a short spell in the Eredivisie with Feyenoord.

He won 82 caps for England and played at three World Cup finals. His last game for his country was at the 2022 World Cup. He won the football writers’ player of the year and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) young player of the year awards in 2019.

A source close to Sterling said in May that the strain of the abrupt end to his top-level playing career had taken a toll on his well-being.