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6 months ago
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Thiago Silva has reportedly agreed a two-year deal to re-join Brazilian club Fluminense.
The defender will link up with his new club in July and have a presentation at the club's iconic Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, the venue of the 2014 World Cup final.
Silva, 39, revealed that he will leave the Blues at the end of his contract this summer after four years at Stamford Bridge.
He played for Fluminense between 2007 and 2009 before joining AC Milan, lifting the Copa do Brasil.
His deal until 2026 is agreed but will not be announced until the contract is formally signed out of respect to Chelsea, as reported by Brazilian outlet Globo.
Thiago Silva has reportedly agreed a deal to re-join Fluminense, who he played for between 2007 and 2009
Silva, 39, has confirmed that he will be leaving Chelsea at the end of the current campaign
The outlet claims that Fluminense beat off competition from European and Saudi Arabian clubs to negotiate his return.
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 camp 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 have have extended contact with Silva, with the club's president reportedly calling him every week for several months.
There is every chance that Silva has already played his final game for Chelsea after he suffered another groin injury during the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa in April.
That would be a shame for Silva, who won the Champions League with the club in 2021 after joining on a free in 2019.
The Brazilian legend was part of the Chelsea team that won the Champions League and Club World Cup
Silva made the announcement in an emotional video that was released by the club's social media accounts on Monday
He originally planned to stick around for a year but has fallen in love with the club and settled nicely in London with his wife Belle Silva and his family.
'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,' he said via Chelsea's website. 'Not just for me but for my family, too.
'My sons play for Chelsea so it’s a source of great pride to be a part of the Chelsea family – literally because my sons are here. I hope they can continue their careers here at this victorious club that many players wish to be part of.
'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.'
Chelsea fan group We Are The Shed are preparing a special display for the last home game of the season – against Bournemouth on May 19 – and Silva continued: 'It is already hard saying goodbye in the most normal of circumstances but when there is a mutual love, it’s even harder. But one a blue, always a blue.
'The way in which I came to the club, with the support of the club, I got to the club as a leader even though I didn’t feel like it having arrived as the new guy. It’s always difficult to integrate but bit by bit I became part of the group and (Frank) Lampard played a big part in that. I am grateful to him for that.
'[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.'
More to follow.
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