Thiago Silva will depart Chelsea at the end of the season.

The club have confirmed the 39-year-old defender will end his almost four-year stay at Stamford Bridge at the end of the current campaign. Since arriving in August of 2020 on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, Silva has made over 150 appearances for the Blues where he has won three major honours.

"Chelsea means a lot to me," Silva said. "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.

READ MORE: Moises Caicedo solves major Chelsea problem as Mauricio Pochettino call answered vs Aston Villa

READ MORE: Morgan Rogers responds after copying Cole Palmer celebration for Aston Villa vs Chelsea

"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..."

Silva has been a consummate professional and role model during his time at Stamford Bridge. It says a lot that every single one of the managers he has played under in west London have had nothing but positive things to say about the Brazilian veteran and his attitude towards football. The fact that he is still able to compete at the elite level when he turns 40 this year says everything.