John Terry looks set to leave Chelsea at the end of the season after the club announced they would not be renewing his contract when it expires this summer.
The 35-year-old defender has made 696 appearances for Chelsea since joining at the age of 14 and is the club’s most successful captain.
Terry intends to continue playing but he confirmed that his next destination will not be in the Premier League, with lucrative offers from the US and China expected to be made to the former England captain.
“It will be elsewhere for sure. I couldn’t play for another Premier League club,” said Terry.
“It’s not going to be a fairytale ending. I’m not going to retire at Chelsea, which it took me a couple of days to get over.”
The door at Chelsea doesn’t appear to have shut entirely, however, as a club spokesperson hinted that a new contract could yet be offered at a later date.
“John was advised that while no deal was currently on the table, that situation could change in the coming months,” said a spokesperson.
“He is a fantastic servant of Chelsea and a superb captain. As such the club will keep the channels of dialogue open.”
The Blues defender won four Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, the Champions League and the Europa League with Chelsea.
If Terry does leave in the summer he will join Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole on the list of Chelsea Champions League winners released by the club in recent years.
Image courtesy of Chelsea TV via YouTube, with thanks
