Chelsea captain John Terry has confirmed he is "totally committed" to the Stamford Bridge side.
The England skipper, 28, has responded to persistent reports linking him with a big money move to Manchester City by releasing a statement in which he insists he has never contemplated leaving Chelsea.
The statement said: "There has been a lot of speculation recently about my future and I want to clear this up once and for all.
"I am totally committed to Chelsea and always have been.
"Chelsea have also made it clear to me consistently that there was never any intention to accept any kind of offer."
Terry admitted to having a high regard for City boss Mark Hughes but decided to make public his determination to stay with Chelsea after "numerous discussions" with owner Roman Abramovich convinced him that the Russian's ambitions matched his own.
The defender, who has only ever played for Chelsea, wanted to be assured that he and other key personnel would be secured.
Terry has also said he was impressed by Carlo Ancelotti's appointment as manager.
The statement continued: "When you are linked with any club or with a manager who I have huge respect for, it will always make headlines but me leaving Chelsea was never a possibility.
"I know there has been comment that I should have made a statement earlier.
"However, throughout this period there have been numerous discussions between myself, the owner and the Chelsea board and we all agreed that the timing of any statement would suit everyone involved in those talks, not any outside influences or agendas.
"What is clear to me following those discussions is that Chelsea's ambition remains as high as ever.
"This has been further proved by the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti. I am certain that he will take this club on to the next level.
"Another important factor was knowing that Chelsea would be securing key current players for the long term. The strengthening of the squad around this core is crucial to pushing us on to greater success.
"I am as committed as ever to helping drive Chelsea forward and I will be proud to lead the team as long as I can."
JOHN TERRY FACTFILE
1980 - December 7: Born in London.
1998 - October 28: Makes Chelsea debut against Aston Villa.
2000 - Has a two-month loan spell at Nottingham Forest.
2002 - May 4: Part of Chelsea side who lose FA Cup final to Arsenal.
2003 - June 3: Makes his England debut against Serbia and Montenegro, coming on as a half-time substitute.
2004 - June 24: Penalised for foul on Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo, denying Sol Campbell a winner in the European Championship quarter-final.
August 15: Appointed Chelsea skipper for the start of the season, succeeding Marcel Desailly.
2005 - April: Chelsea win Premiership.
2006 - April: Plays in the final game of title-winning season - a 3-0 win over rivals Manchester United.
August 10: Chosen as new England captain by head coach Steve McClaren to replace David Beckham.
August 16: England beat Greece 4-0 in a friendly in Terry's first game as captain, with the defender scoring the first goal of the new era.
October 11: Terry suffers his first defeat as England skipper, losing 2-0 in Croatia in a Euro 2008 qualifier.
November 30: Terry charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for comments about referee Graham Poll.
December 17: Misses the 3-2 win over Everton at Goodison Park because of a back injury.
December 26: Manager Jose Mourinho admits he has "no idea" when Terry will be back for the champions.
December 28: Chelsea confirm the England captain has successfully undergone surgery on his back in France.
2007 - January 8: Withdraws request for a personal hearing and admits charge over comments about Poll. He is fined £10,000 and reprimanded by the Football Association.
February 25: The Chelsea skipper is knocked unconscious during the Carling Cup final victory over Arsenal when Abou Diaby's foot accidentally connects with his head but is able to return to the Millennium Stadium within two hours of being rushed to hospital.
June 1: Scores the first senior England goal at the new Wembley in the 1-1 draw with Brazil.
July 27: Ends speculation over his future by signing a new five-year deal with Chelsea.
September 29: Suffers a broken cheekbone in a match against Fulham.
October 19: Undergoes surgery on a knee injury - suffered in training - which rules him out of England's crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia, Russia and Croatia.
December 16: Leaves the Emirates Stadium on crutches after a challenge from Arsenal's Emmanuel Eboue.
December 17: Chelsea confirm he has broken three bones in his foot.
2008 - February 16: Returns from injury in 3-1 FA Cup defeat of Huddersfield, having missed England's first match under new manager Fabio Capello, against Switzerland on February 6..
March 8: Slams their FA Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Barnsley as an "unacceptable result and performance".
March 25: Loses out as Rio Ferdinand is named England captain for friendly against France.
May 11: Dislocates elbow in early stages of final game of the Premier League season - a 1-1 draw with Bolton. Miss out to Manchester United in title race by two points but leads his side on a lap of honour.
May 21: Misses penalty which would have won Chelsea the Champions League.
Manchester United win the shoot-out and Terry later admits he will be "haunted forever" by the kick.
May 27: Named England captain for England's friendly against the USA.
August 19: Named as permanent captain of England by coach Fabio Capello ahead of their friendly against Czech Republic at Wembley.
August 28: Named as UEFA's defender of the year.
November 19: Scores for Englandagainst Germany in a friendly.
February 15 - Chelsea and Terry dismiss media reports of a move to Manchester City, with the player saying: "I have always said that I want to end my career at the club which I love."
2009 - April 1: Scores in the 2-1 World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.
May - Former Blues midfielder Claude Makelele claims in a book that Terry played a part in Jose Mourinho's exit from Chelsea. Terry refuted Makelele's suggestions.
July - Manchester City make renewed contact over Terry, seeing at least two bids for the player turned down.
July 26 - Releases a statement confirming neither he nor Chelsea considered Manchester City's offers and insisting he is "totally committed" to the club.
