John Terry says he will 'come back one day' as he says emotional goodbye to Chelsea fans
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Updated 21/05/2017 at 17:09 GMT
Chelsea captain John Terry told fans that he will 'come back one day' as he said an emotional goodbye at the end of the Premier League season.
Chelsea's English defender John Terry gestures to the crowd as he is substituted off in the 26th minute during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge in London on May 21, 2017. Terry will be leaving the
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Terry lifted his fifth Premier League trophy on Sunday as Chelsea ended the season by beating Sunderland 5-1, which saw Terry taken off in the 26th minute and the players give him a guard of honour.
"Today is one of the most difficult days of my life," said Terry.
"I've been very fortunate to work with some unbelievable players and managers throughout my career. I'm thankful to every single one of them.
"I'd like to thank my wife and my kids for supporting me in this amazing journey I've had.
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Gary Cahill of Chelsea and John Terry of Chelsea lift the Premier Leauge Trophy after the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on May 21, 2017 in London, England.
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"You are the best supporters in the world, without a shadow of a doubt. You've given me everything. You picked me up when I was down, sung my name when I had a bad game and disappointed you.
"I'll come back here one day, supporting the team for years to come."
Terry also paid tribute to departing first-team coach Steve Holland, who will now take up a full-time role with the England national team, as well as the owner Roman Abramovich, his family and the club's supporters.
"We all have to thank Roman Abramovich. I'd like to thank him and all the board. He's the best owner in world football."
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John Terry
Image credit: Getty Images
Terry came through the Chelsea academy and he has represented the club during his entire career bar a loan spell with Nottingham Forest in 2000.
As captain of the club he won five Premier League titles, four FA Cups (as well the 2000 trophy when he wasn't captain), three League Cups, one Europa League and one Champions League.
In total he made over 700 appearances for the club and is widely regarded to be one of the greatest centre-backs in Premier League history.
What next for John Terry?
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game Terry admitted that he would continue playing, saying that speaking to former players he was always told that he should carry on playing as long as possible.
There had been speculation that Terry might have retired, he admitted as much as after the game against Watford on Monday night, but his quotes after this match confirm what most have suspected, that he will carry on playing.
The question is where?
In the past Terry has said that he couldn't play for another English team other than Chelsea, but recent reports have suggested that stance has softened with Bournemouth, West Brom and Swansea City all mentioned as possible destinations.
Aside from that MLS and the Chinese Super League could be two more potential options for the central defender.
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