Former long-serving Chelsea captain John Terry signed a one-year contract on a free transfer for second tier side Aston Villa on Monday. Terry, 36 and who left champions Chelsea after 22 trophy-laden years at the end of last season having lifted the Premier League title, is reported to have agreed a weekly salary of £60,000 (68,300 euros, $77,700) with the club that is owned by Chinese businessman Tony Xia.
"It has to be the biggest signing of my career," said Bruce. "It's not often you get a player of John's calibre to play for you. "A lot of the younger players will look up to him and it can only be a good thing for the dressing room." Bruce, though, had one minor quibble. "We would love to have signed him when he was 26 not 36 but physically he is incredibly fit for his age," he said.
Terry, whose final appearance for Chelsea was mired in controversy with several fans winning money on betting on him being substituted in the 26th minute the same number as his shirt, said he preferred to drop down a league than have to face Chelsea.