Chelsea announce Thiago Silva will rejoin Fluminense after four-year spell in west London

Thiago Silva will join Brazilian club Fluminense again this summer, Chelsea have announced.

The veteran centre-back made an emotional announcement that he will be leaving the Blues at the end of the season after four years at the club.

Silva is nearing the end of his hugely successful time at Chelsea.

Silva joined Chelsea in 2020 and has won the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup, but will now say goodbye.

He will return to a Fluminense team with whom he spent the early years of his youth career in his native Brazil.

“After four seasons at Chelsea, Thiago Silva will depart after our final game of the Premier League season against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge and return to Brazilian club Fluminense,” Chelsea said.

“Chelsea have agreed with Thiago that he can join his new teammates early after signing a two-year contract with the Brazilian club. Thiago will be allowed to train with Fluminense before his registration is transferred on July 1st.”

“The 39-year-old will leave Stamford Bridge having made more than 150 appearances for the Blues, winning the UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.”

“He has also developed a lasting bond with Blues fans and was named the club’s Player of the Year at the end of the 2022/23 season.”

Silva left Fluminense as a youth in 2000, but returned to the club for the first time in 2006 from Dynamo Moscow.

He then moved to AC Milan, where he became one of the best central defenders in European football.

He will leave the Blues as the clear fan favorite.

Silva will join Fluminense for the third time in his career.

Silva spent three seasons at San Siro before moving from Italy to France and joining Paris Saint-Germain, with whom he won seven league titles and 16 domestic titles.

The defender moved to Chelsea in 2020, where he won the Champions League in his first season after losing the previous final at PSG.

Thiago Silva confronts angry Chelsea fans in the crowd after the disappointing defeat to Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg

He has made 152 appearances for the Blues in all competitions, with his final three games coming in the remaining days of the season.

Silva will leave Stamford Bridge as a club legend and one of the most respected players in its history for his professionalism and quality.

Chelsea face Bournemouth at home on the final day, with the Blues supporters set to give Silva a fantastic farewell.