John Terry to earn £1.8m by moving to Spartak Moscow for a year John Terry is set to earn £1.8million after tax by signing a one-year deal with Spartak Moscow, following a recommendation from his former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. Former Chelsea captain Terry was filmed in Italy on Saturday morning, having undergone a Spartak medical ahead of formally joining the Russian club. The 37-year-old had been linked with a return to Aston Villa, where he played last season, but received an offer from Spartak last week. Spartak suffered a defensive crisis after French defender Samuel Gigot suffered a cruciate ligament injury and decided to turn to free agent Terry.
The Russian club are managed by Massimo Carrera, who was Conte’s assistant at Juventus and with the Italian national team.
Telegraph Sport understands Carrera consulted Conte on Terry, who received a glowing reference from his former manager, which helped make up Spartak’s mind. Terry only made nine Premier League appearances during Conte’s Premier League title-winning season at Chelsea, but was hailed for his professionalism and off-the-field influence by the Italian. And Conte remains a big admirer of the former England captain, telling Carrera that he could comfortably cope with the demands of the Russian Premier League.
Spartak’s £1.8m post-tax salary offer was far bigger than any other interested club was willing to pay Terry and there is also thought to be an option for a second year. Spartak are due to face Steven Gerrard’s Rangers in the Europa League and are chasing the domestic title, just two points off the leaders Zenit St Petersburg, who are captained by his former Chelsea team-mate Branislav Ivanovic. Terry had considered hanging up his boots after having the summer off, but said: “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.”
With Terry heading to Spartak, Villa may now be forced to turn to another free agent, James Collins, to help solve their defensive problems. Collins has been training with Ipswich Town, but has been waiting to see if Villa make a move.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/09/08/john-terry-earn-18m-moving-spartak-moscow-year/