Thiago Silva confirms Chelsea exit

Chelsea centre-back Thiago Silva has announced his departure from the club as the current season draws to a close.

The revered Brazilian, who arrived on a free transfer from Paris St-Germain in 2020, leaves behind a legacy of 151 appearances for the Blues, marked by three notable trophies, including the prestigious 2020/21 Champions League title.

Expressing his profound attachment to the club, Silva conveyed, “Chelsea means a lot to me.

“I came here with the intention of only staying for a year, and it ended up being four years.”

The 39-year-old defender, reflecting on his time with the club, added, “It is already hard saying goodbye in the most normal of circumstances, but when there is a mutual love, it’s even harder. But once a Blue, always a Blue.”

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Silva’s tenure at Chelsea saw him play under various managers, including Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Mauricio Pochettino. Amidst these transitions, Silva maintained his prominence on the field, making 34 appearances across all competitions this season, with 25 starts in the Premier League alone.

Looking ahead, the former AC Milan center-back, who boasts 113 caps for Brazil, expressed his desire to potentially return to Stamford Bridge in a different capacity, stating, “I hope to leave the door open so that in the near future I can return, albeit in another role here.”