Former Chelsea and England captain John Terry has announced his retirement from professional football.
The 37-year-old made a name for himself as an imposing centre-half at Chelsea were he amassed over 500 appearances. Terry first joined the club when he was 14 and went on to win five Premier League titles. He was also the all-time highest scoring defender.
He left Chelsea in 2017 to join Aston Villa and was recently linked with a move to Russia. However, in a statement today he announced his decision to hang up his boots.
Terry thanked the fans who have supported him throughout his career.
After 23 incredible years as a footballer, I have decided now is the right time to retire from playing. As a 14-year-old, I made the biggest and best decision: to sign for Chelsea. Words will never be enough to show how much everyone at the club means to me, in particular the fans.
To me, you are the best fans in the world. I hope I have done you all proud wearing the shirt and the armband. I want to thank my amazing team-mates, coaches, managers and backroom staff, who I was honoured to work with and learn from.
They all guided me on my way to playing 717 games for the club I love, and it was a privilege to serve them as captain. I look forward to the next chapter in my life and the challenges in my head.
The Englishman was linked with a return to Aston Villa earlier today, in a move which would evidently be in a coaching capacity.
