Chelsea land ex-PSG captain Thiago Silva on free transfer

 

Chelsea have confirmed the arrival of former Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva on a 12-month deal with an option to a further year.

 

Silva was a free agent after his contract with PSG expired following last week's Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich.

 

The Brazil international has spent the past eight years with PSG and was heavily linked with a return to Serie A.

 

PSG reportedly even made a last-ditch effort to secure Silva's services for another season but the veteran has instead opted for a new challenge.

 

"I am so happy to to be joining Chelsea," he told the club's official website. "I am delighted to be part of Frank Lampard's exciting squad for next season and I'm here to challenge for honours."

 

Chelsea have turned to the centre-back after struggling to find a suitable target through all the noise of the summer transfer window.

 

Chelsea conceded defeat in Declan Rice due to West Ham's £80m price tag and believe Silva can prove the perfect short-term option.

 

 

After conceding as many goals as 15th-place Brighton in the Premier League last season (54), it was clear Chelsea needed to strengthen at the back.

 

Silva is the third defensive recruit Chelsea have made in as many days, following the arrivals of left-back Ben Chilwell and centre-back Malang Sarr.

 

Silva finished the 2019/20 campaign with the best pass success rate in Europe's top five leagues (95.5%).