Thiago Silva will leave Chelsea at the end of the season after agreeing a two-year deal to re-join Brazilian side Fluminense.
The Brazilian has spent four years at Stamford Bridge, winning the Champions League with the Blues back in 2021.
In a statement on the club’s official website, it has been revealed that Silva will be allowed to leave Chelsea early after their final game of the season against Bournemouth and join up with his new team-mates.
Silva was seen pulling the Brazilian’s club shirt out of a drawer and putting it on in an Instagram video which also included photos from his first stint at the club from 2007 to 2009.
Thiago Silva has announced his exit from Chelsea as he will re=join Brazilian side Fluminense
Silva’s wife, Belle, posted a photo of the couple and their two sons wearing Fluminense shirts on Instagram
Alongside the video, he wrote: ‘I’m coming home,’ with the hashtag ‘TheMonsterIsBack’.
His wife Belle also posted pictures of the family wearing Fluminense shirts on Instagram, with the caption: ‘The monster is back! Very happy to be home again after so many years!’
During his time at Chelsea he made more than 150 appearances and also won the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
He was also named the club’s Player of the Year at the end of the 2022-23 season.
It had been widely expected that the veteran defender – who turns 40 in September – would leave the club at the end of the season.
There was a strong hint towards his imminent departure after their FA Cup loss to Manchester City last month, when he was spotted in tears after the final whistle.
His wife, Belle, also all but confirmed the news when she shared a picture of herself at Wembley on semi-final day saying it was their ‘last dance’ at Wembley.
She had recently posted a video expressing frustrations with reports surrounding her husband’s future, after he had been linked with a move to Fluminense, as well as to three unnamed London clubs.
Silva was part of the team that won the Champions League with Chelsea in Porto back in 2021
Silva was pictured in tears after Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City
Belle Silva posed before the FA Cup semi-final loss by Man City and said it was the ‘last dance’
In the video, she said: ‘Help me help you! You don’t know anything!
‘This anxiety is getting in the way of things that could work out! You’re getting in the way! Stop posting false information!’
Silva confirmed that his wife and children will remain in London as the kids play in Chelsea’s youth teams, as he targets a return to the Blues one day.
Despite closing in on his 40s, Silva has still played a regular part in the starting fold at Stamford Bridge and has made 35 appearances this season.
He announced after the defeat to Manchester City that he had made a decision on his future.
Silva previously played for Fluminense from 2007 to 2009 before moving to AC Milan
‘I don’t want to say anything now with my head in a defeat, a bit of sadness,’ he told Hayters TV.
‘But sooner or later it’s going to happen. The news will come out.’
He was subsequently pressed on whether he had made a final call on his future, replying: ‘I already have made a decision in my head.
‘I don’t think it’s cool that a lot of people talk about it. I’m sorry. Soon you will know.’
After success in Europe under Thomas Tuchel, the last two seasons have been frustrating for Silva and Chelsea.
The Blues finished 12th in the standings last season and after what has largely been a difficult campaign this year, Chelsea could still finish as high as fifth which would ensure them Europa League qualification.
