Aston Villa announce arrival of former Chelsea captain John Terry

Aston Villa have announced they have signed John Terry on a free transfer following his release from Chelsea.

The Premier League champions opted against extending Terry’s stay at the club and the 36-year-old was heavily linked with a move to West Brom or Bournemouth.

However, Villa have remarkably managed to convince the former England captain to step down to the Championship and land one of the Premier League’s best ever defenders on a one-year deal.

Villa have also fended off competition from city rivals Birmingham to land the experienced defender as Steve Bruce’s side make their first signing of the summer.

“I am delighted to join Aston Villa,” he told the club’s official website.

“It’s a club I have admired from afar for many years – there are fantastic facilities at Bodymoor Heath, 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 has scored in 17 consecutive league seasons in his career but will be plying his trade away from Stamford Bridge for the first time since going on loan to Nottingham Forest in 2000.

For more stats on John Terry, click here to visit his WhoScored player page