John Terry to leave Aston Villa

Terry was rumoured to be considering another year at Villa Park after he and his side lost to Fulham in the play-off final on Saturday, missing out on promotion.

He has been linked with a move to both MLS in America, and the Chinese Super League.

Terry said: "I’m very proud to have had the opportunity to play and captain this great and huge club.

"I have given my everything this year both on and off the pitch and I’m still hurting today that we never managed to get back to the Premier League, where this club 100% belongs.

An Aston Villa statement read: "We would like to place on record our most sincere thanks for the effort and professionalism he showed with us last season.

"John is a true leader and was everything and more that we hoped. Hugely popular and influential in the dressing room, he played a real captain’s role in creating the incredible bond the players shared with our supporters, and vice-versa.

"We hope he looks back on his time with Villa fondly and we wish him the very best as his career moves forward."