Terry's heartwarming message to 'great friend' Mikel as he leaves Chelsea

John Terry is close friends with John Obi Mikel, as the pair were Chelsea's longest-serving players before the latter made a move to play for Tianjin Teda in China. 

The duo have won multiple honours together during the club's most successful decade, but Mikel accepted a £140,000-a-week deal to move to his new club after not getting any game time under Chelsea's new boss, Antonio Conte. 

Mikel left Chelsea having won eight major domestic honours and two European trophies, as well as tasting global success last summer by winning bronze in the Olympic Games. Terry spoke of his admiration for 'great friend' Mikel and picked out a favourite performance from his ex-team-mate.

"On Friday, we said goodbye to John Mikel Obi after more than 10 years with us in which we won everything - two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Champions League and the Europa League," he told Chelsea's match day programme ahead of the Blues' 4-1 victory over Peterborough in the FA Cup.

"He has been a big part of this club’s success over the past decade and put in some great performances, none more so than in Munich, where he was immense. I want to say on a personal level, that he was a great friend and a great player. I wish you well “Old Boy”. Love ya."

Terry was sent off against Peterborough and his future has been cast into further doubt as he prepares to serve a ban with only six months remaining on his Blues contract. 

Meanwhile, Terry also penned a tribute to Oscar, who left Chelsea for China to join Shanghai SIPG in a club record sale of £52 million, with the Stamford Bridge skipper singing the praises of the Brazil international. 

"We also recently said goodbye to Oscar, who was with Chelsea for four-and-a-half seasons and help d us to win the Premier League, the League Cup and the Europa League during that time.

"He was a pleasure to play alongside, a wonderful player and a good man. We will miss them both and we wish them and their families all the best for their new lives in China."