Chelsea skipper Terry had specific reason for timing of departure announcement

Didier Drogba has written a heartfelt tribute to his former captain John Terry after the Chelsea defender announced he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.

As jointly announced earlier in the week, John Terry and Chelsea - two previously synonymous entities - are to cleave themselves in twain come the end of the season.

But it is believed Terry always meant to make his situation to supporters clear weeks before the end of the campaign because he wanted to avoid the uncertainty and speculation of previous year, when he agreed a 12-month extension after the final League game of the season.

I feel I still have plenty to offer on the pitch but understand that opportunities here at Chelsea will be limited for me.

Terry will hope to be much more involved wherever he moves next season, having started just four Premier League games this season.

John Terry has made 713 appearances for Chelsea since the defender made his debut for the Blues in 1998.

Terry has thanked the Chelsea fans, who he said "have been instrumental in my success and have inspired me". "I'm eager to carry on playing and so will be looking to continue with a new challenge", Terry said in a statement on Monday.

Terry has been taking his coaching badges at Chelsea but was not being considered by Conte to become part of the backroom staff for next season. Terry's dedication can be matched by none but former Arsenal skipper Tony Adams is ofted compared to him as the Premier League's greatest captains of all time.

On the continent, he has collected both the Champions League and Europa League.

"Then I realized who you were from your first speech right before our first friendly game vs @celticfc". What a pleasure to play with the greatest defender in the @premierleague history. "He set standards for everyone, whether it was demanding excellence in training, fighting for every win or respecting how fortunate we were to play for such a great club", wrote Frank Lampard. Still, life goes on and for Terry, that means a new team and perhaps a new league as he seems intent on playing for a bit longer.