LONDON (REUTERS) - Chelsea defender John Terry will leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, the Premier League club said on Monday.

The 36-year-old former England international played over 700 games for Chelsea and has been their most successful captain.

" John has given us more than two decades of dedicated and exceptional service," Chelsea said in a statement.

"In that time, he has displayed the utmost pride at wearing the Chelsea shirt."

Terry is Chelsea's third highest all-time appearance-maker and has captained them a record 578 times.