Raheem Sterling talks up 'calibre' of team-mates - since leaving Liverpool

England forward says he has no regrets over switch to Manchester City

Raheem Sterling (GETTY IMAGES)

Raheem Sterling has spoken about how much he is enjoying life at Manchester City, revealing the calibre of players at his new club are helping him to improve.

The England international completed a troubled transfer from Liverpool over the summer but has quickly settled at his new club and become a regular fixture in their star-studded side.

"To go into training every day and see players of that calibre that I am working with, like Vinny (Kompany), Sergio (Aguero), David (Silva), Joe (Hart) - there's only one thing that you can do and that's improve with players like that," Sterling said, speaking in a press conference for the first time since his £49m move.

"They've been around for many years, achieving stuff for many years.

"I am just happy to be in a squad like that and hopefully I continue my development and win trophies in the future with my football club."

Speaking ahead of England's friendlies with Spain and France, Sterling explained his motivation for the switch.

"I thought (the move to City) at the time was right for me and my heart was saying that is what I should do. That is what I have done and I have no regrets.

"Liverpool and Manchester City are both big football clubs and I am just happy to be where I am - and I am happy with my development at this moment in time."

During the period when it became clear he was angling for a move, despite being offered £100,000-a-week to stay at Anfield, Sterling refused to watch TV or read what was being said about him online because he did not want to be affected by the criticism.

"It was difficult with all the negativity around you," he said. "No one likes to hear the negatives, you want to hear positives all the time.

"I tried to spend time with my daughter and mum and make the day go like that. I tried to not read into it too much.

"My family helped me get through it and now I am just really happy where I am.

"They (the Irish who heckled him) were entitled to their opinion and my opinion was that I thought it was time for me to move on."