Veteran Brazilian defender Thiago Silva will leave Premier League side Chelsea at the end of the 2023-24 season, bringing his stint with the London club to an end after four years.
Chelsea announced the news via video shared on their social media.
“I think everything I did here over the four years, I always gave my all but unfortunately everything has a start, a middle and an end,” said Silva in the video.
Silva also left open the possibility of returning to the club in a different role in the future.
“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 is an indescribable love. I can only say thank you,” he added.
After a successful career with AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, Thiago Silva signed with Chelsea as a free agent in the summer of 2020. Silva quickly established himself as a key player at Stamford Bridge and played in 151 games in all competitions while helping the club win the UEFA Champions League trophy.
Despite turning 39 in September, it appears that Silva isn’t thinking about retirement just yet. Returning to native Brazil and reuniting with Fluminense appears to be the likeliest option, although Silva is believed to be interested in playing in MLS as well.
