Chelsea have confirmed that Thiago Silva will leave the club to join Fluminense at the end of the season.
The 39-year-old made the high-profile switch from French giants Paris Saint-Germain to Stamford Bridge during the summer of 2020, looking ahead to the 2020-21 term.
Silva was only originally planning to remain as a Chelsea player for one year, however the defender has enjoyed a four-year spell in West London.
The centre-back was successful in his first term at the club, winning the Champions League for the Blues under the expert stewardship of Thomas Tuchel.
Since moving from PSG in 2020, Silva has made 152 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions, lifting the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
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Chelsea confirm Silva exit
"Following four seasons with Chelsea, Thiago Silva will depart after our final game of the Premier League season against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge and re-join Brazilian club Fluminense," read a statement on Chelsea's official website.
"Chelsea have agreed with Thiago that he can join up early with his new teammates after signing a two-year contract with the Brazilian club.
"Thiago will be allowed to train with Fluminense prior to his registration transferring on July 1.
"The 39-year-old will depart Stamford Bridge having made more than 150 appearances for the Blues and having lifted the UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.
"He has also forged a lasting bond with Blues supporters and was named the club's Player of the Year at the end of the 2022/23 campaign."
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Looking to the future at centre-back
With Silva's departure confirmed for the end of the campaign, Chelsea will now be looking to the future in terms of centre-back options.
The Brazil international has remained a first-choice player for Mauricio Pochettino despite being 39 years old, meaning that his loss could be significant.
Chelsea have a host of younger squad members in defence, including Axel Disasi, Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile, who have all started matches in recent times.
After being part of the Blues side which demolished West Ham United 5-0 on the weekend, Silva should retain his spot in the XI for the trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening.
