Aston Villa confirm the signing of Chelsea legend John Terry on a one-year deal worth £60k-a-week
Former Blues captain rejects a host of clubs to sign for Steve Bruce's side and mount a Premier League charge
ASTON VILLA have confirmed the signing of John Terry on a one-year deal.
The Championship side announced that the club have pulled off a major coup to land his signature with a creative Twitter post.
In a mock WhatsApp group amongst manager Steve Bruce and players, chairman Dr Tony Xia broke the news to the gaffer before team-mates got in on the action.
The former Chelsea captain rejected a host of offers from around the world, including from Villa's fierce rivals Birmingham, to pen a 12-month contract at the Championship side.
And speaking of his new club, Terry told : "I am delighted to join Aston Villa.
“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, who ended his 19-year spell with the Premier League champions this summer, will pocket around £60,000-a-week as Sun Sport exclusively revealed last month.
John Terry - Chelsea's 'captain, leader, legend'
- Born in Barking, London, on December 7, 1980
- Began his youth career at West Ham in 1991 and joined Chelsea academy after four years
- Broke into the Blues' first team in 1998 and made his debut at home against Aston Villa
- Captained Chelsea for the first time in 2001 and was made club skipper under Jose Mourinho in 2004
- Made his England debut in June 2003 against Serbia and Montenegro
- Succeeded David Beckham as England captain in 2006 under Steve McClaren
- Won five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, the Community Shield, Champions League and Europa League at Chelsea
- Named in the Fifa FIFPro XI for five years running between 2005 and 2009
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He will also take home a £2million bonus if he can help guide Steve Bruce's side back to the top flight.
Bruce had been keen to add experience and a dressing room influence to his side after they faltered in their promotion bid at the first time of asking.
The pair held talks about his future over a game at the Quinta do Lago resort.
Terry was thought to have rejected Premier League offers from Swansea and West Brom and mega-money deals to China because he didn't want to line-up against his former club, according to Swans boss Paul Clement.
Bruce is also believed to have offered Terry the chance to move into coaching during his time at Villa Park which helped convince the veteran of a move.
Villa are also pushing through deals to land Stoke pair Glenn Whelan and Jon Walters.