'Once a blue, always a blue' - Silva
‘Once a blue, always a blue’ – Silva
Chelsea defender Thiago Silva says his four years at the club have been “a dream” and he hopes to return in some capacity one day.
The 39-year-old announced today he would depart Stamford Bridge at the end of this season in an emotional letter to the fans.
Silva has won the Champions League, Fifa Club World Cup and the Uefa Super Cup since signing for the Blues in August 2020.
“Chelsea means a lot to me,” he told the club website. “I came here with the intention of only staying for a year and it ended up being four years.
“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 is an indescribable love. I can only say thank you.”
The Brazilian centre-back has made 151 appearances for Chelsea to date, including 109 in the Premier League.
He joined the club when Frank Lampard was manager and has since also played under Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino.
“It is already hard saying goodbye in the most normal of circumstances but when there is a mutual love, it is even harder,” added Silva. “But once a Blue, always a Blue.
“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.”