da betcris： A tearful Thiago Silva has revealed that he will be leaving Chelsea in the summer, with a four-year stint at Stamford Bridge being brought to a close.

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South American joined the Blues in 2020Has won the Champions League while in EnglandExpected to head home at 39 years of ageWHAT HAPPENED?

The classy Brazilian defender joined the Blues as a free agent in 2020 after reaching the end of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain. He has been working on a short-term deals since then, but there will be no extension in 2024.

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Silva is now 39 years of age and is expected to head home after previously stating a desire to end his career back where it all began, at Fluminense. That move will be made having created plenty of lasting memories in west London, with the South American sending an emotional message to Chelsea supporters.

GettyWHAT SILVA SAID

Silva has told the club’s : “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. 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. But…it’s an indescribable love. I can only say thank you.

“Obviously, when I started here, it was during the pandemic so there wasn’t any fans in the stadium. But through social media, it became something very special to me and then when the fans started coming back to the stadium and life was getting back to normal, I started to feel a lot of affection and respect for my story and for my start here. 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…”