Terry: Chelsea send-off was a career highlight

He may be one of the most decorated players in Premier League history, but departing Chelsea skipper John Terry admitted his emotional send-off at Stamford Bridge on Sunday was one of the highlights of his career.

It was confirmed back in April that Terry, 36, would be leaving the club this summer having struggled to break into Antonio Conte’s first-choice back three.

He leaves having won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Europa League, two Community Shields, three League Cups, and five FA Cups (with a final still to play on Saturday), and is one of only three players to have hit 700 appearances for the Blues.

And while Terry still hopes to be playing top level football next season at a new club, he was grateful for his dream send-off as the Premier League season concluded on Sunday.

“It was a very tough day for me, it’s an awful long time I have been at the football club and I am delighted to get the ovation and the send-off,” he said.

(Photo by Kieran Galvin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“It was very, very emotional. It was an incredible send off from the players and the supporters. They have been my life and my family for 22 years and I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart.

“The club means everything. As a 14-year-old I cleaned the stadium where the fans sit today, I have cleaned the seats, cleaned the toilets, the players’ boots – I have started right from the bottom.

“To work my way up I have had to work very hard and make some sacrifices along the way, and I think that is why I have such a great relationship with the fans because I am one of them.

“This was one of the best moments. You look back at the first Premier League trophy in 2004/05 as a special moment but this is right up there with it.

“I have not done too much playing myself [this season] but the players have been excellent. They had a target in this game, to break the record and win 30 games and they have done that, and now there is another big game next week.”