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CAPTAIN, LEADER, LEDGER

John Terry pens emotional goodbye to Chelsea fans as the Blues skipper prepares to leave the Premier League leaders for top-flight rival

The former England star has lost his place in Antonio Conte's title-chasing side

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JOHN TERRY has penned a long and emotional goodbye to Chelsea fans as the Blues skipper prepares to leave the Premier League leaders.

The captain will move to a rival in the summer after losing his place under Antonio Conte and has revealed how difficult the decision was in a long love letter.



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 Terry has only made five Premier League appearances this summer
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Terry has only made five Premier League appearances this summerCredit: Rex Features

Crystal Palace, West Brom, Bournemouth and Swansea want to snap Terry up and he has a family home in London that is likely to keep him in the capital.

Tony Pulis admitted in March that he tried to sign Terry, 36, in the last window and would push for a deal this summer.

Swansea will try to tempt Terry to Wales, if they can stay in the Premier League, with Terry and manager Paul Clement close from their days at Stamford Bridge together.

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has also admitted he would be interested in offering JT the chance to play with the Hammers.

 John Terry is third in the all-time appearance list for Chelsea
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John Terry is third in the all-time appearance list for ChelseaCredit: AP:Associated Press

Former team-mates Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba have also paid tribute to the centre-back, who has suffered from Chelsea's switch to a back three.

Lampard described Terry as the greatest defender in Premier League history.

Ivory Coast hero, Drogba, who is now a player/owner in the MLS admitted he didn't know who Terry was at first but grew to love his captain.

The defender has offers from America, China and Qatar but his young family is happily based in Surrey and he is unlikely to uproot them now.

 John Terry lifts the Premier League trophy once again Chelsea are 2015 champions
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John Terry lifts the Premier League trophy once again Chelsea are 2015 championsCredit: Getty Images
 John Terry has skippered the club to four Premier League title triumphs
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John Terry has skippered the club to four Premier League title triumphsCredit: Getty Images

Terry won 14 major honours at the club since making his first-team debut in 1998.

The old-school defender lifted four Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, the Champions League in 2012 and the Europa League.

Part of the letter read: “This has been the toughest decision of my life for me and my family, but I always envisaged leaving on the right terms, in the right way and at the right time - and that is now.

“I feel I still have regular football in me but understand that opportunities here at Chelsea will be limited, it is therefore time for a new challenge."

 

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