July 4 – He may not be everyone’s cup of tea and has courted controversy throughout his career but former England and Chelsea captain John Terry has resisted the temptation to try and join the exodus to China by signing a one-year deal with second-tier Aston Villa at the age of 36 for one final challenge.
Terry was apparently given several offers to stay in the Premier league but said he did not want to play against Chelsea, his boyhood club for whom he played 717 games and won his fifth Premier League title in May.
Villa finished 13th in the Championship last season but are among the favourites to win promotion to the top flight next season.
“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,” said Terry. “ Villa Park is one of the finest stadiums in the country.”
“The ambition for me to continue playing some people will understand and some people will not. I am in good physical condition. I am ready to play and give it everything this year.”
British media reported Terry’s 12-month contract to be worth £60,000 per week, a deal manager Steve Bruce predicted would be “worth every penny” if it results in a promotion challenge.
Terry will wear the No. 26 shirt, the same as he did at Chelsea, and is tipped to become the club’s captain.
“It is not often that you get a natural leader of men these days. I have watched him from afar for a long, long time, and to get him here is a great coup for all of us,” said Bruce.
Unibet take Villa shirt sponsorship
While Terry was attracting the headlines, Unibet was being unveiled as the club’s new principal sponsor partner.
Unibet’s logo will appear on the front of Aston Villa’s new Under Armour shirts for the 2017/18 season. The betting firm will also be on the front of the shirt for Aston Villa Ladies.
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