Thiago Silva has announced he is leaving Chelsea at the end of the 2023/24 season.
The 39-year-old defender, who joined the Blues from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2020, confirmed the news in an emotional interview on Monday morning.
Silva made 151 appearances for Chelsea during his four-year spell at Stamford Bridge, and lifted the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.
"Chelsea means a lot to me," he said in a statement. "I came here with the intention of only staying for a year and it ended up being four years. Not just for me but for my family, too.
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"My sons play for Chelsea so it’s a source of great pride to be a part of the Chelsea family – literally because my sons are here. I hope they can continue their careers here at this victorious club that many players wish to be part of."
You can see the interview in full below:
An emotional Silva went on to thank those who made his spell in West London a memorable one, including Frank Lampard, who signed the Brazil international during his first spell as Chelsea manager.
Lampard memorably said he was "in awe" of Silva's ability to compete in the Premier League at his age.
"I think in everything I did here over the four years, I always gave my all," Silva said. "But, unfortunately, everything has a start, a middle and an end. That doesn’t mean that this is a definitive end.
"I hope to leave the door open so that in the near future I can return, albeit in another role here. But…it’s an indescribable love. I can only say thank you.
"Obviously, when I started here, it was during the pandemic so there wasn’t any fans in the stadium. But through social media, it became something very special to me and then when the fans started coming back to the stadium and life was getting back to normal, I started to feel a lot of affection and respect for my story and for my start here.
"It is already hard saying goodbye in the most normal of circumstances but when there is a mutual love, it’s even harder. But one a Blue, always a Blue."
He added: "The way in which I came to the club, with the support of the club, I got to the club as a leader even though I didn’t feel like it having arrived as the new guy. It’s always difficult to integrate but bit by bit I became part of the group and (Frank) Lampard played a big part in that. I am grateful to him for that.
"[It’s been a] dream, definitely a dream. Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I could achieve such great things and win one of the best professional titles, the Champions League, at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
"Goodbyes are for those that leave and don’t come back. I intend on coming back one day..."
Topics: Chelsea, Thiago Silva, Premier League, Brazil, Transfers, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours
Jack Kenmare