John Terry to leave Chelsea at end of season

After more than two decades at Stamford Bridge John Terry, Chelsea captain, will be saying goodbye to the club at the end of the season.

He has won it all at Chelsea with four Premier League titles, one Champions League, five FA Cups, a Europa League and three League Cups.
He is the most decorated player and has made 713 appearances for Chelsea since his 1998 debut at 17-year-old and has captain the club 578 times scoring 66 goals.

The 36 years old skipper said "I feel I still have plenty to offer on the pitch but understand that opportunities here at Chelsea will be limited for me."

He is the club's third highest all-time appearance maker, behind Ron Harris and Peter Bonetti, and holds the club record for appearances as captain.

"I will, of course, always be a Blue and am desperate to end my final season as a Chelsea player with more silverware," said Terry, whose team have a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

"I've always been conscious that I depart at the right time, in the right way, and I feel that the end of this season is the right time for the club and I."

"I'm eager to carry on playing and so will be looking to continue with a new challenge," he added.

"Words cannot describe the love I have for our football club and our amazing Chelsea fans. You mean the world to me and I will never forget the incredible journey we've been on."

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: "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 was essential to Chelsea winning both the Premier League title and the FA Cup in 2009-10, making more than 50 appearances but has found his playing time limited under Antonio Conte.