Chelsea sign Thiago Silva: The 35-year-old defender’s move to Chelsea is a done deal — signed, sealed and delivered — as Silva joins on a one-year deal for the 2020-21 Premier League season.
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The contract between Silva and Chelsea also has an option for an additional season.
Silva departed Paris Saint-Germain after eight seasons in the French capital following the expiration of his contract when PSG were beaten by Bayern Munich the UEFA Champions League final last Sunday.
Silva’s arrival will provide manager Frank Lampard with a bit more experience along a backline which features a number of unproven youngsters. With over 400 appearances across 12 years spent at AC Milan and PSG, and nearly 100 caps for Brazil, few defenders in the world can provide the veteran leadership and calming influence that Silva will bring to Stamford Bridge.
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Silva marks the Blues’ fifth signing of the summer transfer window, arriving after the likes of Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell and Malang Sarr.
However, according to a report on Thursday, at least eight Chelsea players are currently in quarantine after an unknown number of players tested positive for COVID-19 upon returning for preseason. It could be a few days — or perhaps even a couple weeks — before Lampard has his full squad available in training.
Chelsea are set to begin their PL campaign — Lampard’s second in charge — away to Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday, Sept. 14.