Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Bumper new deal for Terry

19 Jul 2007 - 08:07:04

Click To Enlarge

Chelsea captain John Terry has ended speculation about his future after reportedly agreeing a new contract to make him the highest earner in Premier League history.

The England skipper has agreed terms on a £131,000 per week new contract at Stamford Bridge - worth a staggering £6.8million a year - and will put pen to paper when the Blues return from their pre-season tour of the United States next week.

Terry has been in negotiations with chief executive Peter Kenyon during the tour and owner Roman Abramovich reportedly arrived at the club's Los Angeles base to rubber-stamp the deal on Wednesday.

Earlier in the week Terry revealed the negotiations were heading towards a resolution.

He said: "It is complicated. It hasn't been agreed yet but I am hopeful that it will be done shortly."

Meanwhile, team-mate Joe Cole claims he can't wait for the new season for both club and country to start following a past 12 months interrupted by a series of knee and foot problems.

The midfielder made just 23 appearances during a frustrating last campaign but ended the season on a high with a goal in England's 3-0 Euro 2008 qualifying victory in Estonia.

"I missed a lot of football, and it was a tough season for England," he told the club's official website.

"To come back and score an important goal in a crucial game was good. It was a nice relief.

"This season needs to be excellent and we can't afford any more slip ups. We need to beat Russia at home and get a point away.

"I've every confidence in the team, the way we played against Estonia and Brazil at the end of last season was what we're all about, fighting together, tackles, winning the ball and exciting fast-paced play.

"If we can do that for five more games we shouldn't have a problem."