Thiago Silva will return to his boyhood club Fluminense when he leaves Chelsea at the end of the season, the Blues have announced.
Thiago Silva joined Chelsea from PSG in 2020 and made 152 appearances for the club, winning the UEFA Champions League, Club World Cup, and Super Cup.
The 39-year-old confirmed last month that he will leave when his contract expires in June and pledged to return “in a different role” when his playing time ends.
That won’t be for some time, however, as the center-back has agreed a two-year deal with Fluminense, who he first joined as a 14-year-old in 1998.
Initially struggling to find opportunities with the Rio de Janeiro giants, he then had spells at Pedrabranca, Juventude, and Dynamo Moscow before returning to Fluminense in 2006 – initially on loan.
He made a name for himself at the club before joining AC Milan in 2009 for €10 million, kick-starting the defender’s glittering career in European football.
Thiago Silva announced his return to Brazil on Instagram, posting a photo of himself in a Fluminense shirt alongside the caption: “I’m coming home”.
Chelsea said Silva will be able to train with Fluminense once the Premier League season ends before being eligible to represent the Brazilian side on July 1.
There were fears that Silva may have played his last game for Chelsea when he injured his groin in last month’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, but he was named in the starting line-up as they beat West Ham 5-0 at Stamford Bridge. Sunday.
Thiago Silva has started 26 Premier League games for Chelsea this campaign, with the Blues conceding an average of 1.6 goals per game with him in their line-up, compared to two goals per game without him.
