Thiago Silva will leave Chelsea at the end of the campaign, but hopes to return down the line in another role.

Silva, who joined Chelsea as a free agent after leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2020, has made 151 appearances for the club and helped them win the Champions League, Club World Cup and Super Cup.

The 39-year-old, however, will not be staying at Stamford Bridge for a fifth campaign.

In an emotional interview with the club's media channels, the Brazilian said: "Chelsea means a lot to me. I came here with the intention of only staying for one 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 member of the Chelsea family.

"I hope my sons can continue with their careers here at this victorious club that many players wish to be a part of.

"I think everything I did here over the four years, I always gave my all but, unfortunately, everything has a start, a middle and an end.

"It's an indescribable love. I can only say thank you."

However, Silva is set on returning to the club once his playing days are over.

He added: "That doesn't mean that this is a definitive end, I have to leave the door open so that in the near future I can return, albeit in another role here.

"Obviously, when I started here, it was during the pandemic, so there weren'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, 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.

"So, it is already hard saying goodbye in the most normal of circumstances, but when there is a mutual love, it's even harder. But once a Blue, always a Blue."

Silva has worked under a variety of managers during his time at Chelsea, including Mauricio Pochettino, Graham Potter, Thomas Tuchel and Frank Lampard, who brought him to the club.

"The way in which I came here, with the support of the club, I got to be a leader of the club having arrived as the new guy," Silva continued.

"It's always difficult to integrate, but bit by bit, I became part of the group and Lampard played a big part in that, so I am grateful to him for that.

"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 will be hoping to bid farewell to Chelsea on a high note by propelling them to European qualification.