Chelsea legend John Terry has signed for Championship side Aston Villa thanks to a chance meeting with Villa boss Steve Bruce under the clear blue skies of the Algarve.
A number of factors convinced Terry to join the Midlands club following a round of golf at the prestigious Monte Rei Golf Course, overlooking the Guadiana River, in mid June.
John Terry could have amassed mega money for a year in China but instead chose to join Bruce, who is a no nonsense manager and speaks his mind very much in the mould of the former Chelsea skipper.
After putting pen to paper on Monday, Terry, along with his new manager Bruce, made the short trip to Birmingham Airport to board a plane for the Algarve, so keen was he to get to know his new pals, rather than wait until the following morning.
Terry was Chelsea’s most successful captain, having led them to five Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, one UEFA Europa League and one UEFA Champions League title since 2004.
He is one of five players to have made over 500 appearances for Chelsea and is also the club’s all-time highest scoring defender.
In 2007, he became the first captain to lift the FA Cup at the new Wembley Stadium in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Manchester United, and also the first player to score an international goal there, scoring a header in England’s 1-1 draw with Brazil.
Photo: Alex Bruce and dad Steve Bruce, John Terry and brother Paul Terry
