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New Chelsea signing Kalidou Koulibaly is given John Terry's No 26 shirt for pre-season, leaving some fans angry that legendary defender's number wasn't retired... but club are quick to insist that numbers are NOT yet permanent

Chelsea have given new £34million signing Kalidou Koulibaly the iconic No 26 shirt previously worn by John Terry for pre-season.

Blues fans believed that the number, which was previously worn by former captain and club legend Terry, had been retired as it has not been in use since the ex-England centre-back's departure in 2017.

However, Senegal star Koulibaly, who signed from Napoli last weekend, will wear the same number as the Blues prepare for the new season, as reported by the club's official website.

New Chelsea signing Kalidou Koulibaly has been given the No 26 shirt for pre-season
John Terry wore the No 26 shirt throughout his Chelsea career and it hasn't been used since

John Terry wore the No 26 shirt throughout his Chelsea career and it hasn't been used since

Terry, one of Chelsea's greatest ever stars, wore the No 26 shirt throughout his career at the club from 1998 to 2017.