Thiago
Silva has completed a move to Chelsea on a one-year deal after passing a
medical on Thursday.
Chelsea have the option to extend the contract by a further year for the
Brazil centre-back, who became a free agent following PSG's Champions League
final defeat to Bayern Munich.
Sky Sports News' The Transfer Show reported on Monday a deal had been agreed
and the Ligue 1 club confirmed the 35-year-old's exit on Thursday - despite
last-ditch efforts by the Champions League runners-up to offer him a new
deal.
Silva, who spent eight years with PSG after joining from AC Milan in 2012,
is Frank Lampard's sixth signing of the summer following the arrivals of
Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Malang Sarr and Xavier Mbuyamba.
"I am so happy to be joining Chelsea," Silva said.
"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."
With Chelsea keen to strengthen having been banned from signing players last
summer, the London club could also complete a deal for Bayer Leverkusen
forward Kai Havertz before the start of the new season.
Silva won seven Ligue 1 titles during his time in France, but leaves the
club having failed to achieve the European success desired most in Paris.
Despite sealing a fourth-placed finish and qualification for next season's
Champions League, Chelsea struggled defensively throughout Lampard's debut
campaign in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: "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."
Analysis: Silva deal makes sense
Sky Sports' Nick Wright:
It is, in many ways, a measure of the paucity of centre-back options out
there that Chelsea are turning to a 35-year-old who turns 36 next month. But
on a free transfer having reached the end of his contract with Paris
Saint-Germain, the Brazilian could still prove an invaluable addition.
Silva showed he can still cut it at the highest level in the Champions
League final. The result was ultimately disappointing for him and for PSG,
but Silva was instrumental in keeping Robert Lewandowski quiet for long
periods and coped well with Bayern Munich's pacey wingers too.
Those defensive qualities, coupled with his ball-playing ability, make him a
good fit for Frank Lampard's side but what should be even more useful is his
experience - especially in a Chelsea backline which lacks it.
Silva is, after all, a serial winner. He lifted the Serie A title with AC
Milan in only his second season in Europe and, since his move to PSG in
2012, he has been a part of 25 domestic trophy triumphs. Chelsea are crying
out for some leadership and knowhow at the back and Silva will also be able
to mentor the many young hopefuls aiming to break into Lampard's squad. His
age means he is not a long-term solution, but he has plenty to offer in the
short-term.
Analysis: Chelsea can benefit from wealth
of experience
Sky Sports' Ben Grounds:
Having conceded 54 Premier League goals last season, the worst record in the
top half and 21 more than champions Liverpool, it was clear that Chelsea
head coach Frank Lampard was not going to end his transfer business with
Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.
Strengthening his defensive options was always on the agenda and Silva
showed there is still value in bringing the 35-year-old to Stamford Bridge
with an assured display in the Champions League final, despite his side
falling short.
Chelsea may have to offload one of their four senior centre-halves in order
to raise funds: Fikayo Tomori has been linked with a loan move to Rennes
while Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger are entering the final two
years of their current deals.
But for those who stay on next season, Silva will offer a wealth of
experience and will aid the development of the highly-rated 18-year-old
defender Xavier Mbuyamba - the Dutchman signed after cancelling his contract
at Barcelona and dubbed the 'next Virgil van Dijk'.
Lisbon didn't provide the perfect send-off for the PSG club captain in his
315th and final game, but the centre-back did impress against Europe's top
marksman Robert Lewandowski and marshalled the back four superbly for an
hour before the breakthrough.
His important block to deny Kinglsey Coman a second with the shackles off
the Bavarians kept his side in the game.
In his eight years in Paris, Thiago won seven Ligue 1 titles, and he showed
his leadership again as the defensive pivot on Sunday - completing more
passes (38) and having more touches (57) than any other team-mate, while his
six clearances was also a game-high contribution.
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