Transfer Centre

John Terry rejects retirement talk amid Spartak Moscow speculation

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 08 September 2018

Terry not ready to retire amid Spartak talk

Veteran defender John Terry, linked with Sporting Lisbon and Spartak Moscow, vows to carry on playing as he puts an end to retirement talk.

John Terry has insisted that he is "still hungry to go and play", amid speculation that he is close to completing a shock move to Spartak Moscow.

The Chelsea legend has spent the past four months without a club after departing Aston Villa at the end of last season, having failed in his bid to guide the Villans back to the top flight.

Terry was tipped to hang up his boots on the back of Villa's playoff final heartbreak, but he claims that he is in the best shape since his peak Chelsea days and has vowed to play on if the right offer is made.

According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the ex-England international is undergoing a medical in Rome and could complete a move to Spartak before the end of Saturday.

In an interview published before that report emerged, Terry told the Daily Mail: "When we spoke in the summer, it wasn't long after the season and I was still hurting. I loved my time at Aston Villa. I am still devastated that we didn't go up.

"The manager, players and supporters were incredible with me but I hate losing and I feel there is unfinished business there. Steve Bruce is a great man and with the backing of the new owners, Steve will hopefully get the club back into the Premier League.

"Don't get me wrong, if I don't play again I am content with what has been an unbelievable career, but I'm still hungry to go and play if everything around it is right. If it's right for me and my family. I am in the best condition I have been in for the last eight to 10 years of my career.

"I've had a brilliant summer, the first time in 20 years I have been able to get away like that with my family during the school holidays. I was away so much last year because I was fully committed to giving everything to Aston Villa, but now I am fully recharged."

Sporting Lisbon have also been tipped to move for the free agent, while Villa are also rumoured to retain an interest.