Former England Captain John Terry turns down Spartak Moscow offer

Former England captain John Terry has rejected a contract offer from Russian Premier League side Spartak Moscow.

The 37-year-old centre-back is a free agent after leaving Championship club Aston Villa when his deal with them expired earlier this summer.

“Spartak are an ambitious club and I have been very impressed with their professionalism,” Terry said.

“But after assessing this move with my family, we’ve decided this is not the right move for ourselves at this time.”

Writing on Instagram, the former Chelsea skipper added: “I would like to take the opportunity to thank Spartak and wish them and their supporters well for the rest of the season.”

Terry featured 36 times during his season with Villa, who were beaten in the Championship play-off final by Fulham in May.

He previously made more than 700 appearances for Chelsea, helping them win numerous trophies, including five Premier League titles, five FA Cups and the 2012 Champions League.

Meanwhile, Manchester United defender Luke Shaw could play in Saturday’s Premier League game at Watford, a week after suffering concussion while playing for England.

Shaw was taken off on a stretcher at the start of the second half of England’s Nations League defeat by Spain at Wembley.

Football Association guidelines state a player who suffers concussion should not play for 14 days.

But Shaw could play after being treated in United’s “enhanced care setting.”

The guidelines allow a player to return earlier if seven criteria are met, and United’s state-of-the-art medical facilities are understood to meet the requirements.

It does not mean Shaw is certain to play at Vicarage Road as United’s medical staff must be convinced of the full-back’s recovery before making him available to manager Jose Mourinho.

Finally, Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris will be out for “several weeks” with a thigh injury, but will retain the captaincy after his drink-drive conviction.

The 31-year-old missed Spurs’ Premier League game at Watford on 2 September and both of France’s matches during the international break.

On Wednesday, he was fined £50,000 and banned from driving for 20 months after admitting drink-driving.