OFFICIAL: Former England & Chelsea captain John Terry announces his official retirement

Former England and Chelsea captain John Terry has announced his retirement from football.

Terry, 37, has been without a club since leaving Championship side Aston Villa in the summer.

The defender made the announcement on his Instagram account, saying: "After 23 incredible years as a footballer, I have decided now is the right time for me to retire from playing."

Terry, who won 78 England caps, left Chelsea in 2017 after 19 seasons at the London club.

He won five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, a Champions League title and the Europa League in his time at Stamford Bridge.

The 37-year-old wrote on Instagram: "After 23 incredible years as a footballer, I have decided now is the right time to retire from playing.

"I have many people to thank. My wife Toni and my two children, Georgie and Summer, for being my rocks throughout my career - I couldn't have done it without you, I love you with all my heart.

"I thank my parents, Sue and Ted, for the sacrifices they made for me as a boy, giving me the best opportunity to fulfil my dreams and become a professional footballer. My brother, Paul, for his help and advice throughout my career - and all my family and friends for their great support.

"As a 14-year-old, I made my best and biggest decision: to sign for Chelsea Football Club. Words will never be enough to show how much everyone at the club means to me, in particular the fans.

"Right from the outset they have given me total support, on and off the pitch, and I have a tremendous bond with them. We achieved so many great memories together and I couldn't have succeeded without you.

"To me you are the best fans in the world. I hope I have done you all proud wearing the shirt and the armband.

"I want to thank my amazing teammates, coaches, managers and backroom staff, who I was honoured to work with and learn from. They all sided me on my way to playing 717 games for the club I love and it was a privilege to serve them as captain.

"They also helped me achieve my boyhood dream of playing for an captaining England, of which I am immensely proud.

"My club career and heart will always belong to Chelsea, but I am grateful for my loan spell at Nottingham Forest in 1999, which was invaluable for my development as a young player.

"And I want to say a thank you to Aston Villa for giving me the opportunity to play at such big club and captain it throughout the 2017/18 season. It was a privilege to represent such renowned football club with great fans.

"I look forward to the next chapter in my life and the challenges ahead."