Thiago Silva has reportedly agreed a two-year deal to rejoin Brazilian club Fluminense.
The defender will join his new club in July and will perform at the club’s iconic Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, site of the 2014 World Cup final.
Silva, 39, revealed he will leave the Blues at the end of his contract this summer after four years at Stamford Bridge.
He played for Fluminense between 2006 and 2008 before signing for AC Milan, lifting the Brazilian Cup.
His agreement until 2026 has been agreed, but it will not be announced until the contract is formally signed out of respect for Chelsea, according to a Brazilian media report. Balloon.
Thiago Silva would have reached an agreement to return to Fluminense, where he played between 2007 and 2009.
He has enjoyed four years in London with Belle Silva (his wife) and her family, after originally only intending to be at the club for one year.
Silva, 39, has confirmed that he will leave Chelsea at the end of the current campaign.
The outlet claims that Fluminense beat off competition from European and Saudi clubs to negotiate his return. However, his wife Belle Silva stated that “nothing has been finalized” on social media.
He will see out his contract at Chelsea but could reportedly be given permission to travel to Brazil to seal the deal.
Legal and communications representatives of the Brazilian giants have already been speaking with Silva’s team in London.
Earlier this week, it was reported that three unnamed London clubs had made offers for the legend, who turns 40 in September.
However, Fluminense has had prolonged contact with Silva and the club president reportedly called him every week for several months.
There is a good chance that Silva has already played his last game for Chelsea after suffering another groin injury during the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa in April.
It would be a shame for Silva, who won the Champions League with the club in 2021 after arriving on a free transfer in 2019.
The Brazilian legend was part of the Chelsea team that won the Champions League and the Club World Cup
Silva made the announcement in an emotional video posted on the club’s social media accounts on Monday.
He previously played for Fluminense between 2006 and 2008, winning the Brazilian Cup.
He originally planned to stay for a year, but fell in love with the club and settled nicely in London with his wife Belle Silva and their family.
‘Chelsea means a lot to me. “I came here with the intention of staying only one year and in the end it was four years,” he said via Chelsea’s website. ‘Not only for me but also for my family.
“My children play for Chelsea, so it is a great pride to be part of the Chelsea family, literally because my children are here. I hope they can continue their careers here in this victorious club that many players want to be part of.
‘I think in everything I did here over the four years, I always gave it my all. But, unfortunately, everything has a beginning, a middle and an end. That doesn’t mean this is a definitive ending. I hope to leave the door open to be able to return in the near future, albeit in another role here.’
Chelsea supporters group We Are The Shed are preparing a special display for the final home game of the season (against Bournemouth on May 19) and Silva continued: “It’s hard enough to say goodbye under the most normal of circumstances.” , but when there is a mutual union.” Love, it’s even more difficult. But a blue one, always blue.
‘Because of the way I arrived at the club, with the support of the club, I arrived at the club as a leader although I didn’t feel like arriving as the new boy. It’s always difficult to integrate, but little by little I integrated into the group and (Frank) Lampard played an important role in that. I’m grateful to him for that.
‘[It’s been a] Dream, definitely a dream. Never 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, in one of the biggest clubs in the world.
‘Farewells are for those who leave and do not return. I intend to return one day.
The center-back burst into tears in the clip in which he insisted ‘I intend to return one day’
The veteran defender spoke of the influence of Frank Lampard in helping him integrate into the squad upon his arrival
Globo reports that Fluminense made their move for Silva following his announcement that he would be leaving Chelsea.
Mauricio Pochettino risks losing his only first-team starter over the age of 30 when Silva leaves.
The only other player over 30 is Marcus Bettinelli, the third goalkeeper.
After that, the next oldest player is Raheem Sterling at 29 years old, followed by Ben Chilwell, 27 years old, and Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku and Robert Sanchez, 26 years old.
And Conor Gallagher, one of the club’s main leading figures, could also leave in the summer, leaving behind a youth squad.