The defender beat off competition from team-mates Frank Lampard and Petr Cech, 2004 winner Thierry Henry, Steven Gerrard and Andrew Johnson.

The PFA Young Player Award went to 19-year-old Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney.

Shaka Hislop received the Special Merit Award, after his involvement with the "Show Racism The Red Card" campaign.

Terry, the first Chelsea player to receive the award, said he was amazed to have been voted the best player of the year by his peers.

"It is unbelievable and the ultimate accolade to be voted for by your fellow professionals whom you play against week-in and week-out," said Terry.

"You just go out there and try to give it your best, and for them to show their appreciation and vote for me is fantastic.

JOHN TERRY FACTFILE Born: 7/12/80, Barking Position: Centre-half Club debut: 28/10/98 v Aston Villa First goal: 20/02/2000 v Gillingham Full England debut: 3/6/2003 v Serbia & Montenegro England caps: 17 Made Chelsea captain: 22/7/2004 Wins PFA Player of the Year: 24/04/2005 Profile: Terry comes of age

"For Petr, Lamps and myself to be voted in, it was important that one of us won it.

"It has been a real special season with Chelsea and this just adds to it.

"I want to thank all of my team-mates, because without them this would not have happened.

"It is my first year as captain and they have helped me a lot, on and off the pitch."

Terry is the first defender to win the award since Paul McGrath in 1993 and the first Englishman to do so since Teddy Sheringham in 2001.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson paid a glowing tribute to both Terry and Lampard.

"They are great players who could play in any team in the world," he said.

The awards were hugely successful for Terry's Chelsea team, which supplies four of the Premier League's Team of the Year.

He is joined in the side by goalkeeper Cech, midfielder Lampard and winger Arjen Robben.

Terry's England central defensive partner Rio Ferdinand, of Manchester United, is also included, alongside Old Trafford team-mate Gary Neville.

Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole completes the team's defence.

Liverpool captain Gerrard and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips complete the midfield alongside Lampard and Robben.

The two-man strike force is made up of 2004 PFA winner Henry of Arsenal and Crystal Palace forward Johnson.

Meanwhile, Celtic striker John Hartson and Rangers midfielder Fernando Ricksen were voted joint winners of the Scottish PFA's player of the year award.

Premier League team of the season:

Petr Cech (Chelsea)

Gary Neville (Man Utd)

John Terry (Chelsea)

Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd)

Ashley Cole (Arsenal)

Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

Arjen Robben (Chelsea)

Shaun Wright-Phillips (Man C)

Thierry Henry (Arsenal)

Andrew Johnson (C Palace)