John Terry will see out his career in the Championship.
After 717 games, five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, a Champions League, a Europa League and three League Cups for the club, Terry’s time as a Chelsea player has come to an end.
The legendary Blues defender confirmed towards the end of last season that it would be his last at Stamford Bridge, insisting that he was “eager to carry on playing and so will be looking to continue with a new challenge.”
Several clubs were understood to be trying to convince Terry to agree to bring his matchless experience to their defences; with Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Birmingham all believed to be in the running.
BREAKING: John Terry has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season https://t.co/PKbvuZK9mz
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) April 17, 2017
Terry kept his options open and had even suggested that retirement remained a possibility.
“I’ve not ruled out Sunday being my last game and retiring from football,” he told Sky Sports ahead of his farewell game at Stamford Bridge
“If the right offer comes along I will sit down and consider it with my family – whether that’s here or abroad.
“Genuinely I haven’t made any decisions yet and I’m evaluating all my options at the moment.”
While he hadn’t made any decisions in May, he’s reportedly arrived at one now.
ESPN claim that the 36-year-old has agreed to join Aston Villa next season and that the deal could be finalised as early as Monday.
Villa manager Steve Bruce has enjoyed a round or two of golf with Terry in recent weeks, as he discussed why Villa Park would be the perfect destination for the centre-half.
Terry is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Villans and he has told his other suitors that his mind has been made up so they can end their pursuit.
