KALIDOU KOULIBALY revealed John Terry thought he was a pranker and put the phone down when he called the Chelsea legend out of the Blue.
But JT did some checks, returned Koulibaly's call and let him take his iconic Blues' No26 shirt.
Koulibaly was "nervous" about making direct contract with Terry as the ex-England centre-back is the most famous skipper in the club's history.
And the former Napoli hero was extra anxious as he knew the No26 top had not been worn since Terry's departure in 2017.
Koulibaly asked manager Thomas Tuchel about the shirt before getting JT's number from fellow Chelsea icon Gianfranco Zola.
The Senegal defender, who is tipped for an instant Blues' debut in Saturday's Premier League opener at Everton, said: "I talked to him, he told me the story of Chelsea.
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"I have to know everything when I come somewhere, so I asked tough questions to him about the club, about the structure, about the supporters.
"I asked him for the phone number of John because I wanted to ask for the jersey and he gave me directly the number.
"And I called him – but at the beginning he did not believe that it was me! He thought that it was a joke!
"So he put down the phone at first and called the team manager to ask if it was really me.
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"After that I asked him respectfully that I wanted to take his jersey, his number.
"I know that it’s a very important number for him, and for me also because I took it directly when I went to Napoli and I wanted to keep it for here in Chelsea.
"When he told me yes I was really happy because I know what he did for the club, the supporters, the city here and I know that it’s very important to ask him first before wearing it.
"I wanted to tell everybody that I asked him because I want to be respectful with a legend in the club."
Koulibaly has already posted a clip of the phone call – the successful one, that is.
Terry can be heard saying: “The 26 was very special to me, I really appreciate you calling.
“It’s no problem for me for you to take it, absolute pleasure.
“I wish you well because I know how important the number was for me and I’ve seen you wear 26 as well.
“My pleasure mate, I give you the 26. No pressure. You go and keeping winning trophies for us.”
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