Terry joins Aston Villa

July 5, 2017

Former Chelsea and England's football captain signed a one-year contract with  on a free transfer, the club announced on Monday. In April, the 36-year-old defender announced his desire to leave his boyhood club, Chelsea, after his contract ended with the London-based club.

John Terry joined the Blues 22 years ago, and made his professional debut against Aston Villa in 1998. Since then, Terry has won fifteen trophies making 717 appearances for Chelsea. The only players who made more appearances for Chelsea were and. He has won the and  five times,  thrice, and one each of UEFA Champions League and. Terry led Chelsea to the Premier League title in his final season.

Terry said he did not want to play against Chelsea, and hence joined Aston Villa, who are in the, the second tier of English football. He said, "The mental side of playing against Chelsea was too much to get over for me. I was there for 22 years at the football club. I am very proud of that but this is a new chapter in my life and career."

After signing the contract, Terry said, "My thoughts are 100% here and the ambition is to get us back to the Premier League. It's a huge club." Terry has been assigned jersey number 26, the number he wore on his back in his entire professional career. His contract with Chelsea expired on Friday.