Chelsea defender, Thiago Silva, has agreed to a two-year contract to rejoin Brazilian club Fluminense when his current contract expires at Stamford Bridge.
According to BBC Sports, the Brazilian defender, who has been a devoted servant at Chelsea for the past four years, will return to his former club Fluminense following the Blues’ final game of the season on May 19th.
Silva’s homecoming might include a presentation at the legendary Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
39-year-old Thiago Silva launched his professional football career at Brazilian club side Fluminense between 2006 and 2008.
According to reports by Globo, Fluminense made their move for Silva following his announcement that he would leave Chelsea.
However, Fluminense have had extended contact with Silva, with the club’s president reportedly calling him every week for several months.
During his time at the West London club, Silva won the Champions League in 2021 after joining on a free in 2019 from PSG.
“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,” he said via Chelsea’s website.
“Not just for me but for my family, too. 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.
“I think in everything I did here over the four years, I always gave my all. 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.”
Silva continued: ‘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
“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.”
Aside from his Champions League medal, Thiago Silva won two other trophies with Chelsea and has made 152 appearances for the Blues.
