John Terry will call Stamford Bridge home next season, and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho wouldn’t have it any other way.
Terry signed a new, one-year contract with Chelsea on Thursday, the club announced on its website. Terry, Chelsea’s longtime captain, is delighted to continue with the club he has led to 13 major trophies since making his debut in 1998.
[tweet https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/581139855289126912 align=’center’]
[tweet https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/581151285698830336 align=’center’]
“I’m delighted to have signed an extension to my contract with Chelsea,” Terry said. “After adding another major trophy to my collection this month I hope myself, the players and manager can continue to bring success to our club.
“Playing for this great club makes me so proud. And as always I would like to thank the fans who have continually supported me.”
Terry appeared to be heading for the exit door at Stamford Bridge in 2013 when he wasn’t an automatic starter under then manager Rafa Benitez. Terry also reportedly was unwilling to accept Chelsea’s policy of offering only one-year contracts to players over 30.
But Jose Mourinho’s return to Chelsea reinvigorated Terry’s career. Terry has accepted Chelsea’s contract rules and led it back to the top of English soccer in two years under Mourinho, who says his new contract is just rewards for his consistency.
“This new contract is not to say ‘thank you very much,'” Mourinho said. “It is because John continues to perform. He is a top defender. I am happy that he completely deserves this new contract after a season where he has already played 40 matches.”
Terry, 34, has played 661 games for Chelsea, helping the Blues win the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, three Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Football League Cups. His 63 goals are the most for a defender in club history, and no Premier League player in his position has scored as many goals as him.
Yet, Terry’s status as a certified Chelsea legend won’t stop him from adding to these eye-popping numbers and chasing more glory.
Terry puts politics over all with international retirement >>
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@premierleague