Raheem Sterling came off the bench to make his Feyenoord debut and play his first competitive football since May 2025.
The 31-year-old, who joined the Dutch side last week after leaving Chelsea by mutual consent, was brought on after 61 minutes with Feyenoord leading Telstar 2-1, which is how the game finished.
Sterling’s previous appearance came on loan at Arsenal on the final day of the Premier League season last year.
“I haven’t played for a little bit but I have been trying to keep fit, I am building one step at a time and trying to get to match fitness,” he told ESPN.
Manager Robin van Persie moved his side’s training to Belgium last week to allow Sterling to gel with his new team-mates while waiting for a Dutch work permit to be granted.
Feyenoord returned from Tubize – which is about 137km (85 miles) from Rotterdam – following Wednesday’s session and Sterling was able to make his debut on Sunday.
“It was a great introduction,” he added. “The trip to Belgium was one for myself, a very good one to get integrated with the boys and know your team-mates.
“I am here for a new experience, a new challenge. It’s now maintaining that consistency and reaching our targets.”
Sterling also said he had not spoken to England boss Thomas Tuchel.
The winger, who has also played for Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal, spent time discussing numerous options after leaving Chelsea.
Sources told BBC Sport about 18 clubs in England and across Europe expressed an interest in him, before he decided to join Feyenoord.
The 16-time Dutch champions are second in the Eredivisie table, 14 points behind league leaders PSV.
Sterling has scored 20 goals in 82 international appearances for England but has not played for the Three Lions since 2022.