Chelsea confirm Terry’s departure
Chelsea have confirmed that captain John Terry will leave the club at the end of the season.
It brings to an end a trophy-laden 19-year career at Stamford Bridge, after 713 appearances and 66 goals.
Terry finishes as the club’s third highest all-time appearance-maker and captained Chelsea a record 578 times.
The former England skipper has said he intends to continue playing, but Chelsea have left the door open for a return to Stamford Bridge in a non-playing role.
In a statement on the club website, Terry said: “I will decide on my future in due course, but for now I am committed to helping the team achieve success this season.
“The club and I have always had a fantastic relationship, which will continue beyond my playing days.
“We had some really positive talks but with everything taken into careful consideration I have decided it’s the right time for me to leave.
“I feel I still have plenty to offer on the pitch but understand that opportunities here at Chelsea will be limited for me.
“I’m eager to carry on playing and so will be looking to continue with a new challenge.”
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added: “Everyone at Chelsea would like to place on record our thanks to John for all he has done for this football club.
“He has been an outstanding player, inspirational captain and has always demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the cause.
“In that time, Chelsea has grown into one of the world’s top clubs and it is only right that John’s contribution is recognised.
“He will always be held in the highest regard by everybody at Stamford Bridge and we look forward to welcoming him back in the future.”
Terry won the Premier League four times, the FA Cup five times and the League Cup three times, although he was suspended for Chelsea’s greatest achievement, winning the Champions League in 2012, and missed the following year’s Europa League victory through injury.
The 14 major honours to his name make the former England skipper Chelsea’s most decorated individual of all time.
Terry’s future at Stamford Bridge was left up in the air at the end of last season, as he made an emotional speech to fans after the final game against Leicester, though he was eventually offered a one-year contract extension.
However, this season he has featured only rarely under new head coach Antonio Conte, making just 10 appearances, five of those in the Premier League.
