Thiago Silva has confirmed his exit from Chelsea and hinted at a future return to the club.

Thiago Silva will depart Chelsea at the end of the season, with the veteran defender ending a four-year spell at Stamford Bridge.

Silva joined the club on a free transfer in August 2020 on an initial one-year deal, but extended his stay and became a regular starter under Mauricio Pochettino.

The 39-year-old was part of the team that won the Champions League in 2021, with Chelsea claiming their second European crown in the final against Manchester City.

The veteran centre-half suffered a suspected groin injury against Aston Villa on Saturday, and is yet to miss the final five Premier League games of the season.

Silva appears to have no intention of retiring, though, with reports linking him with a return to Fluminense 15 years after leaving the Brazilian club for AC Milan.

“Chelsea means a lot to me,” Silva told the club’s website. “I came here with the intention of staying only one year and it turned into four years. Not only for me but also for my family.

“My sons play for Chelsea so it’s a great honor to be part of the Chelsea family – literally because my sons are here. I hope they can continue their careers here at this winning club that so many are proud of. Players want to be a part of it.

“I think everything I’ve done here in four years, I’ve always given it my all. But, unfortunately, everything has a beginning, middle and end. That doesn’t mean it’s a Finally, I hope to leave the door open so that I can come back here in another role in the near future.

Capped 113 times by Brazil, Silva won seven Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain during a successful spell in France before joining Chelsea four years ago.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have endured a mixed campaign and sit ninth in the Premier League, though still have faint hopes of a European qualification place. They host Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night with a chance to climb above West Ham.

Silva has hinted that he could return to London in a different capacity in the future.

“It’s an indescribable love,” Silva said of Chelsea. “All I can say is thank you. Saying goodbye is hard enough in the most normal of circumstances, but it’s even harder when there’s mutual love. But a blue, always a blue.”

“The way I came into the club, with the support of the club, I came into the club as a leader, although I didn’t feel like it came in as a new guy. It’s always difficult to integrate but I’m in this group. became a part of and (Frank) Lampard played a big part in that, I’m grateful for that.

“[It’s been a] Dream, definitely a dream. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I could achieve such great things and win the best professional title, the Champions League, at one of the biggest clubs in the world. Goodbye is for those who leave and never come back. I plan to come back one day.”