Brazil international Thiago Silva has officially signed for Chelsea on a one-year contract.
The 35-year-old Silva joins Frank Lampard's side in the aftermath of Paris-Saint Germain's 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in last Sunday's Champions League final.
Silva heads to Stamford Bridge on a 12-month deal with the option of a further year, becoming the latest Chelsea capture this summer following the impressive acquisitions of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Leicester City's Ben Chilwell. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen forward Kai Havertz continues to be heavily linked with the west Londoners.
Having spent eight years at PSG following his move from AC Milan in 2012, Silva departs the Parisians on a free transfer, less than a month shy of his 36th birthday.
Done deal! 🙌 Welcome to Chelsea, @TSilva3! #OhhThiagoSilva
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 28, 2020
Speaking this Friday morning on Chelsea's official website, the former PSG captain said: "I am so happy to be joining Chelsea.
"I am delighted to be a part of Frank Lampard’s exciting squad for next season and I’m here to challenge for honours. See you soon Chelsea fans, I look forward to playing at Stamford Bridge very soon."
The 89-time capped Brazilian centre-back has enjoyed a distinguished career to date, winning a remarkable seven Ligue 1 titles with PSG, the Serie A championship during his three-year stint in Milan and the Copa do Brasil in 2007 with Fluminese, along with a number of other collective and individual awards.
Marina Granovskaia, the Chelsea director, joined Silva in celebrating the club's freshest signing, saying: "We are delighted to be able to add a player of Thiago Silva’s proven world-class credentials to our squad.
"Having performed at the highest level for many years, we have no doubt his experience and quality will complement the many exciting talents we already have here.
"Thiago will be an excellent fit and we hope he can add some new trophies to his impressive list of honours."
Paris ⇢ The Pride of London! 💙@TSilva3 has arrived! #OhhThiagoSilva pic.twitter.com/ssO5ZlA4Dw
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 28, 2020
Chelsea secured Champions League football by finishing fourth in last season's Premier League and were runners-up to Arsenal in the FA Cup final at the end of Frank Lampard's first campaign in charge of the club where he became an on-pitch legend.
Although many pundits have praised the former Derby County manager's debut season in the dugout at Stamford Bridge after losing star player Eden Hazard and operating during a club transfer embargo, others have criticised Chelsea's porous defending under Lampard, questioning the club's overall progress over the last 12 months following the exit of ex-head coach, Maurizio Sarri.
With a number of eye-opening talents already recruited in this transfer window, Lampard will likely be under added pressure to deliver in the upcoming campaign.
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