Long-time Chelsea captain John Terry announced he is to leave the club at the end of the season after the Londoners decided not to renew his contract.

The 34-year-old came through the ranks at Stamford Bridge and has gone on to lead the Blues through the most successful period in their history, picking up 15 trophies while wearing the armband.

His success marks him out as one of the outstanding leaders during the Premier League era, and here we look at Chelsea leader Terry and four others who have led with distinction.

Roy Keane

Keane's last United appearance came at Anfield
Keane's last United appearance came at Anfield

Before he left Manchester United in controversial circumstances and became a no-nonsense television pundit, Keane was a fearless leader for Sir Alex Ferguson as his Manchester United side dominated the 1990s.

The midfield hard man famously clashed with Mick McCarthy on international duty with the Republic of Ireland at the 2002 World Cup, but held the armband for eight years at Old Trafford, leading his side to eight trophies - which included four league titles.

His competitive nature lead to a rivalry with Patrick Vieira that will go down in Premier League history as one of the greats, but an ugly clash with Alf-Inge Haaland and his prompt departure somewhat tarnished his reputation.

Patrick Vieira

Everton's Steve Watson holds off Arsenal's Patrick Vieira in 2003

The captain of Arsenal's 'Invincibles', Vieira dominated at Highbury for three years after he was handed the armband.

The French midfielder went from strength to strength in the centre of the park and became a pivotal figure in Arsene Wenger's revolution with the Gunners.

Although not as successful as Keane - Vieira won five domestic trophies while captain - he had just as great an impact, going head-to-head with Manchester United on a number of intense encounters.

Most memorably he led Arsenal to the league title in the 2003-04 season without losing a single game, before departing a year later.

John Terry

The Chelsea stalwart has courted controversy off the pitch during his lengthy career but remains one of the great captains of the Premier League era.

He divides opinion, but his longevity at the top of the game and prolonged success at Stamford Bridge leaves him in esteemed company.

After establishing himself in the first team, Terry was promoted to captain when Jose Mourinho joined the club in 2004 and promptly led an expensively-assembled Blues side to a first league title in 50 years, also recording the best defensive record in Football League history.

Despite a regular turnaround of managers, Terry continued to lead the side and picked up 15 trophies to become English football's most successful post-war club captain. He announced he was to leave the club in 2016.

Steven Gerrard

Everton's Leon Osman (left) gets away from Liverpool's Steven Gerrard as they battle for the ball

Although he may not have won as much silverware as his contemporaries, Gerrard was just as influential in what was a tough time for Liverpool.

He was awarded the captaincy of his boyhood club at the age of 23 and held the armband for 12 years before jetting off to America.

His all-action style helped him lead from the front and his happy knack for popping up with crucial goals and a heavy scouse accent made him an instant favourite with the Liverpool fans.

Despite flirting with a move to Chelsea, Gerrard hung around to inspire one of the great Champions League comebacks in 2005, when he saved his side with a spectacular goal against Olympiacos and was named man of the match against AC Milan in the final.

He hit a stunning double against West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup final but suffered heartbreak when his slip allowed the league title to slip out of Liverpool's grasp in 2004.

Tony Adams

The Tony Adams statue outside the Emirates Stadium
The Tony Adams statue outside the Emirates Stadium

A true one-club man, Adams was the most successful club captain until Terry arrived on the scene.

He was made skipper of Arsenal by George Graham at the age of just 21 and remained club captain for the next 14 years until his retirement.

Despite fighting personal issues throughout much of his career, Adams remained an integral part of a frugal Arsenal defence under Graham and picked up 13 trophies in all, before retiring and turning to management.

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