Thiago Silva has penned a heartfelt message to Chelsea fans after announcing he would be leaving Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
The 39-year-old Brazilian has been with the Blues since the summer of 2020 and has featured 315 times in all competitions, scoring 17 goals and providing seven assists.
Under Thiago Silva’s leadership as captain, he helped Chelsea to the UEFA Champions League in his first season as well as the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
The former Paris Saint-Germain player however hopes to return to West London in some other capacity in the near future.
“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. Not just for me but for my family, too,” Thiago Silva said on Chelsea’s website.
“I think in everything I did here over the four years, I always gave my all. But, unfortunately, everything has a start, a middle and an end. That doesn’t mean that this is a definitive end. I hope to leave the door open so that in the near future I can return, albeit in another role here.
“But…it’s an indescribable love. I can only say thank you.
Thank you will never be enough. 💙 pic.twitter.com/X2VTx5V5bS
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 29, 2024
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.
“[It’s been a] dream, definitely a dream. Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I could achieve such great things and win one of the best professional titles, the Champions League, at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“Goodbyes are for those that leave and don’t come back. I intend on coming back one day…”
Chelsea have three more games to end the season and Thiago Silva will hope to line up one last time when the Blues host Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on May 19.
