Breaking: Thiago Silva returns to Europe by joining new club

Former Chelsea and PSG defender Thiago Silva has joined FC Porto on a six-month deal. The Brazilian's time at the Portuguese club could be extended by a season, as his contract includes an optional year.

Silva was a free agent this month after leaving Brazilian side Fluminense at the end of the 2025 season. The defender returned to his boyhood club in 2024, 15 years after leaving, following the expiration of his contract at Chelsea. He posted a message on Instagram, which read:

“Our time together was shorter than we imagined, but intense enough to create memories I will carry for a lifetime. I am deeply grateful to the club, the coaching staff, my teammates, my family, and especially to the fans, who turned this dream into reality and made me feel at home from my very first day at Fluminense. Wherever God leads me on this journey, the moments we shared will remain eternal in my story. Even if, at this moment, I am not wearing the Tricolor colors, they will always run through my veins."

Thiago Silva was linked with a return to AC Milan, with reports suggesting that the San Siro side were looking to bring him back until the end of the season. They were in talks after a suggestion from Zlaan Ibrahimovic, but failed to agree on terms with the Brazilian.

Chelsea were urged to re-sign Thiago Silva by Darren Bent

Former Premier League striker Darren Bent urged Chelsea to re-sign Thiago Silva for the season. He believed that the Brazilian's experience would help Enzo Maresca's side and said on talkSPORT:

"If I’m Chelsea then I’m trying to bring him back in some capacity and if that’s to play, that’s to play. I watched him play for Fluminense in the Club World Cup and he still looked good. Yes, of course, he’s not as quick as we know he can be because he’s obviously older in age. But his brain is still quick, he was still getting his body position in the right place, he was very rarely getting caught out with the ball in behind." "He knows full well he’s not the quickest anymore so as they’re about to clear it or clip it over the top: ‘I’ll drop ten yards!’ I played against Thiago Silva when he was in his pomp. Oh my goodness, animal! Brazil versus England… animal. He had everything: jumps, quick, powerful. But now, he just reads the game so well and if I’m Chelsea then I’m trying to bring him back."

Chelsea legend John Terry also urged his former club to re-sign Thiago Silva in January.

Edited by Sripad