Former Chelsea icon Terry signs for Aston Villa
Former long-serving Chelsea captain John Terry signed a one-year contract on a free transfer for second tier side Aston Villa on Monday.
(FILES) This file photo taken on April 08, 2017 shows Chelsea’s English defender John Terry ahead of the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Chelsea at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England. Chelsea great John Terry will leave the club at the end of the season, the Premier League leaders announced on April 17, 2017. “John Terry and Chelsea Football Club today jointly announce our captain will leave the club at the end of the season,” said a club statement. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / 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. /
Terry, 36 and who left champions Chelsea after 22 trophy-laden years at the end of last season having lifted the Premier League title, is reported to have agreed a weekly salary of £60,000 (68,300 euros, $77,700) 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.
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 was very happy to have plumped for Villa.
“I am delighted to join Aston Villa,” Terry told Villa’s official website.
“It’s a club I have admired from afar for many years — Villa Park is one of the finest stadiums in the country and there’s a good group of players here, with an experienced and successful manager in Steve Bruce.
“I can’t wait to get started now and look to help the squad achieve something special this season.”
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 team-mates at the club’s pre-season training, before the new season which begins at home to Hull City, Bruce’s former club, on August 5th.
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 finally finishing 13th — as they faced competition from clubs including Turkish giants Galatasaray and Premier League duo West Bromwich Albion and Swansea.
#WelcomeJT: John Terry will wear the No.2⃣6⃣ shirt this season…#AVFC #PartOfThePride pic.twitter.com/wS9ebj5gvk
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) 3 July 2017
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