John Terry will leave Chelsea in the summer, club announces

Chelsea have announced John Terry will not be handed a contract renewal and will leave the club at the end of the season when his current deal expires.

Terry, 36, was handed a fresh 12-month deal at the start of last season upon Antonio Conte’s arrival but has dropped down the pecking order following the return of David Luiz from Paris Saint-Germain.

The former England captain will not retire at the end of the season and already expressed his desire to continue playing in the Premier League earlier this year, with Bournemouth and West Brom interested in his services.

“After 22 years there is so much to say and so many people to thank at this great football club,” a statement read on Chelsea’s official website. “From coaches, team-mates and staff to the fans who have given me so much support down the years, I can’t thank you enough. There will be opportunities for me to speak further about this over the coming weeks.

“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’ve always been conscious that I depart at the right time, in the right way, and I feel that the end of the season is right time for the club and I. 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. I will of course always be a Blue and am desperate to end my final season as a Chelsea player with more silverware.

Terry has only started four Premier League games this season but will leave the club as one of its best ever players, having won the Premier League title on four occasions, the FA Cup five times as well as the Champions League and Europa League. Much of that time has been spent as captain.

For more stats on John Terry, click here to visit his WhoScored player page