Aston Villa pens Terry to 1-year deal

Aston Villa's back-line will have a decidedly different look next season with the addition of former Chelsea legend John Terry on a one-year deal.

From villain to Villan for Terry, who spent more than two decades at Stamford Bridge until his contract with the Premier League holder expired the last day of June.

The Championship side took to Twitter Monday to announce the news in an unconventional manner, with gaffer Steve Bruce, owner Tony Xia, and several Villa standouts welcoming the 36-year-old to Birmingham.

"I am delighted to join Aston Villa," Terry admitted Monday.

"It's a club I have admired from afar for many years - there are fantastic facilities at Bodymoor Heath, Villa Park is one of the finest stadiums in the country and there's a good group of players here, with an experienced and successful manager in Steve Bruce."

With Chelsea, Terry captured four Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, and both jewels of the continental crown, the Champions League and Europa League. The London-born centre-half made 713 appearances for the club, 578 as captain, paired with 78 caps for England before hanging up his Three Lions kit in 2012.

"I can't wait to get started now and look to help the squad achieve something special this season."