The 39-year-old joined from Paris St Germain in 2020, initially on a one-year deal, but went on to become a lynchpin in the heart of defence during a turbulent period of change at Stamford Bridge.

In announcing his departure, he said he hoped to return to the club "in another role" soon.

His first season ended with victory over Manchester City in Porto as the team won the Champions League for the second time, and the 113-cap Brazil international has endeared himself to supporters as the club has undergone a colossal turnover in personnel under Todd Boehly's Clearlake Capital consortium.

His departure means that, just three years on from that victory in Portugal in May 2021, there will be only two players left at Chelsea who were part of manager Thomas Tuchel's 23-man squad for the final - captain Reece James and vice-captain Ben Chilwell.

In a video posted on the club's website, Silva said: "Chelsea means a lot to me. 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.

"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."

Manager Mauricio Pochettino started Silva in 22 of his first 24 Premier League games in charge, but he has been used more sporadically of late and was an unused substitute in four consecutive matches in March and April.

Weeks earlier, following a 4-2 home defeat to Wolves at the start of February, his wife Belle apparently called for Pochettino to be sacked, posting on social media: "It's time to change. If you wait any longer it will be too late." She later apologised.

The manager has faced questions about the viability of using a central defender who will be 40 in the first weeks of next season but has insisted age has not been a factor in his decision to leave him on the bench.

Under Boehly, Chelsea have pursued a policy of signing young players on long contracts, while more experienced squad members have been moved on.

Silva has more than 10 years on the next oldest player to have made a first-team appearance this season, 29-year-old Raheem Sterling.

He added: "Goodbyes are for those that leave and don't come back. I intend on coming back one day."

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