John Terry has paid tribute to Aston Villa's supporters, owner and manager after it was confirmed that he will not stay on for another season.
The 37-year-old's departure was announced by the Villans just four days on from their Championship playoff final defeat to Fulham, sparking a summer of cost-cutting at Villa Park.
After bringing down the curtain on his time with the West Midlanders, and possibly on his playing career in English football, Chelsea legend Terry took to Instagram to reflect on his 10 months at the club.
"Today I part ways with Aston Villa Football Club," he 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.
"I would like to thank Steve Bruce who was instrumental in me joining Villa, I have learnt so much from him as a manger this season that will stay with me forever.Also, I'd like to thank all the staff and players and our owner Dr Tony, who it was a real pleasure and honour to work with everyday.
"Finally, a special thank you to the Villa supporters who have supported us both home and away in their thousands, up and down the country and have been amazing to me on a personal level. Villa will always have a place in my heart and I will look back on my time here and think about how close we were to reaching our goal. But now going forward, I would like to wish the management, staff, players and supporters good luck for the future."
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Terry's exit is likely to be the first of many in a busy summer for Villa, as chairman Dr Tony Xia admits that 'severe financial challenges' lie ahead.
Daniel Lewis
