Thiago Silva, the Chelsea defender, has secured a transfer to Fluminense for the upcoming season following his departure from the Premier League club.

Thiago Silva, the esteemed Brazilian defender, will bid farewell to Chelsea at the conclusion of the season and make his way back to his homeland to join Fluminense. The 39-year-old has left an indelible mark on Stamford Bridge since his arrival in August 2020, amassing over 150 appearances for the club and securing prestigious titles such as the UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup.

Silva’s contributions have not gone unnoticed, as he was rightfully crowned Chelsea’s player of the year at the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign. Now, the Brazil international has agreed to a two-year contract with Fluminense, and Chelsea has graciously granted him permission to link up with his new teammates ahead of the official transfer on July 1.

In April, Silva confirmed his departure from Chelsea, expressing his deep gratitude for the club. “Chelsea means a lot to me,” he stated. “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. My sons play for Chelsea, so it is a source of great pride to be a part of the Chelsea family – literally because my sons are here. I hope they continue their careers here at this victorious club that many players wish to be part of.”

Silva’s emotional farewell continued as he reflected on his time at Chelsea and the bond he formed with the fans. “Obviously, when I started here, it was during the pandemic, so there were no 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.”

While bidding adieu is never easy, Silva expressed his desire to return to Chelsea in the future, albeit in a different capacity. “Goodbyes are for those that leave and don’t come back. I intend on coming back one day..”

In the current season, Silva has made 35 appearances across all competitions under the guidance of manager Mauricio Pochettino. As the campaign nears its end, Chelsea finds themselves in seventh place in the Premier League standings, with three matches remaining.