Aston Villa

Steve Bruce: 'John Terry signing is a statement of intent from Aston Villa'

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 03 July 2017

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce describes the signing of former Chelsea and England captain John Terry as a "statement of intent" from the Championship side.

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has hailed the signing of John Terry as a "statement of intent" from the Championship side.

The West Midlanders were relegated from the Premier League in 2016 and followed it up with a sub-par campaign in the second tier, where they finished 13th in the table.

However, all eyes were on Villa Park on Monday as it was confirmed that the Chelsea and England legend had penned a one-year deal to play with the former European Cup winners.

According to Sky Sports News, Terry's Villa contract will make him one of the highest ever earners to play in the Championship, but Bruce insists that "he is worth every penny".

Bruce told reporters at a press conference: "We'd have loved to have signed him when he was 26, not 36! But he's in excellent shape for his age.

"It's what he can bring to the dressing room and the whole football club. It's a statement of intent.

"He's certainly the most decorated [Championship player], and when you've got the calibre of John Terry you'll ultimately cost a fair few quid, but he's worth every penny.

"I think John can play beyond this year, but that will be up to him. I think a lot of people have retired too early."

Terry admitted that he turned down offers from Premier League clubs because he could not bring himself to play against his former club.