Thiago Silva announces his decision to leave Chelsea

The centre-back is leaving the club after joining them in 2020.

Chelsea fan favourite Thiago Silva has announced the decision to leave the club.

When his contract expires at the end of this season, Thiago Silva will leave Chelsea.

However, he has shown interest in returning in the future, in a coaching role.

The 39-year-old Brazilian came to the club in 2020 on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain and has been an essential part of the team for the last four years.

Silva today confirmed that he will be leaving in the summer, expressing in a statement his love for the club he signed with the intention of playing for just one season.

Ben Jacobs has reported on his X account that the Brazilian international will leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

Silva is expected to be made captain for the Bournemouth game to mark his farewell.

The defender said, as reported by Jacobs on X:

"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.

"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 has admitted that he joined the club for one year but ended up staying for four years.

As a result, Mauricio Pochettino loses his only first-team regular above the age of thirty.

The only other player in the squad to reach that age is Marcus Bettinelli, who is only the team's third-choice goalkeeper.

At 29, Raheem Sterling is the next oldest player, followed by Ben Chilwell, who is 27, and Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, and Robert Sanchez, who are 26.

At 39 years old, Silva is anticipated to return home after having expressed a desire to finish his career at Fluminense, the place where it all started.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that there is interest in Silva's services from the Brazilian club. However, he is keeping his options open.

Silva is keeping his options open despite interest from Fluminense.

The South American defender made plenty of fond memories in London during his time at the club.

With Chelsea, Silva has made 151 appearances. He has aided them in winning the FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Champions League.

The Blues are showing interest in German Bundesliga striker ahead of the transfer window, with Romano provided the latest update on the links.