Thiago Silva has officially announced his departure from Chelsea at the end of the season as a free agent.
Since joining the club in the summer of 2020, the 39-year-old Brazilian has left an indelible mark on Chelsea’s history, amassing over 150 appearances and playing a crucial role in the club’s successes, including the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Speculation surrounding Silva’s future had been circulating in recent weeks, given his contract’s impending expiration in the summer.
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Both Silva and Chelsea have now confirmed the decision for him to part ways with the club at the conclusion of the 2023/24 campaign.
In a heartfelt statement shared on the club’s official website, Silva expressed his deep gratitude and attachment to Chelsea: “Chelsea means a lot to me. I arrived here with the intention of staying for only a year, and it turned into four years. Not just for me but for my family as well. My sons play for Chelsea, so it’s a source of immense pride to be part of the Chelsea family – literally, because my sons are here.”
Silva continued, reflecting on his time at Chelsea and expressing his hope for a possible return in the future in a different capacity: “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 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.”
Acknowledging the mutual affection and respect he has received from Chelsea fans, Silva expressed his gratitude for their support: “It’s already hard saying goodbye in the most normal of circumstances, but when there is mutual love, it’s even harder. But once a Blue, always a Blue.”
Silva also credited former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard for his role in integrating him into the team, saying, “The way I came to the club, with the support of the club, I arrived as a leader even though I didn’t feel like it as the new guy. It’s always difficult to integrate, but bit by bit, I became part of the group, and Lampard played a big part in that. I am grateful to him for that.”