Thiago Silva will depart Chelsea at the end of the season.

The Brazilian, who arrived at the Blues on a free transfer from Paris St-Germain in 2020, has amassed 151 appearances for Chelsea. During his time, he clinched three trophies, notably the 2020-21 Champions League.

Silva, 39, expressed his profound affection for the club, stating, “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.”

Reflecting on his departure, he added, “It is already hard saying goodbye in the most normal of circumstances but when there is a mutual love, it’s even harder. But once a Blue, always a Blue.” Silva initially joined the club under Frank Lampard’s management and has since played under Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Mauricio Pochettino.

This season, he has featured in 34 matches across all competitions, with 25 starts in the Premier League. The former AC Milan centre-back, capped 113 times by Brazil, expressed his desire to return to Stamford Bridge in a different capacity in the future, stating, “I hope to leave the door open so that in the near future I can return, albeit in another role here.”