bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

Former long-serving Chelsea captain John Terry signed a one-year contract on a free transfer for second-tier side Aston Villa on Monday.
Terry, 36 and who left champions Chelsea after 22 trophy-laden years at the end of last season, having lifted the English Premier League title, is reported to have agreed to a weekly salary of £60,000 (HK$607,000) with the club that is owned by Chinese businessman Tony Xia.
“#WelcomeJT: It’s official - John Terry signs ... Full story ?? bit.ly/2t8Ixv3 ?? #PartOfThePride #AVFC,” tweeted Aston Villa with a photograph of the former England skipper in their kit.
Villa manager Steve Bruce – a former central defender of renown himself, having captained Manchester United – made no bones about the significance of persuading Terry to join.
“It has to be the biggest signing of my career,” said Bruce.
“It’s not often you get a player of John’s calibre to play for you.
“A lot of the younger players will look up to him and it can only be a good thing for the dressing room.”
Bruce, though, had one minor quibble.
“We would love to have signed him when he was 26 not 36 but physically he is incredibly fit for his age,” he said.
Blues great John Terry to leave Chelsea at season’s end after 22 years at club
Terry, whose final appearance for Chelsea was mired in controversy with several fans winning money on betting on him being substituted in the 26th minute, the same number as his shirt, said he preferred to drop down a league than have to face Chelsea.
“It was that mental side of playing against Chelsea that would be too much to get over,” said Terry, who had offers from Premier League sides West Brom and Swansea.
“I had 22 unbelievable years at the football club. This is a new chapter. I wish Chelsea well but my thoughts are 100 per cent here and the ambition to get back in the Premier League.”
Terry joins the side against whom he made his senior debut 19 years ago in a League Cup third-round tie.
“Life has come full circle,” he said.
Chelsea also tweeted their best wishes.
“Wishing John Terry the very best of luck at Aston Villa! [with a thumbs-up icon],” the champions tweeted.
Terry is expected to fly out to Portugal to join his teammates at the club’s preseason training, before the new season which begins at home to Hull City, Bruce’s former club, on August 5.
The signing is a bit of a coup for Villa who endured a torrid time last season, never threatening to return immediately to the Premier League and finally finishing 13th.


Former Chelsea icon John Terry signs for Aston Villa

New Aston Villa signing John Terry reacts during a media conference at Villa Park in Birmingham. Photo: AP

New Aston Villa signing John Terry, right, with manger Steve Bruce during the media conference at Villa Park, Birmingham, England, Monday July 3, 2017. Former England and Chelsea captain John Terry has signed a one-year deal with second-division Aston Villa, saying he is "delighted" and is looking to "help the squad achieve something special this season."(Aaron Chown/PA via AP)

(FILES) This file photo taken on May 15, 2017 shows Chelsea's English defender John Terry waving at the end of the the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge in London. Former long-serving Chelsea captain John Terry signed a one-year contract on a free transfer for second tier side Aston Villa on Monday, July 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Sport

Football

After 22-trophy-laden years, the 36 year-old defender agrees to a one-year deal with the club owned by Chinese businessman Tony Xia


Former Chelsea icon John Terry signs for Aston Villa

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}After 22-trophy-laden years, the 36 year-old defender agrees to a one-year deal with the club owned by Chinese businessman Tony Xia

After 22-trophy-laden years, the 36 year-old defender agrees to a one-year deal with the club owned by Chinese businessman Tony Xia