THIAGO SILVA broke down in tears as he confirmed he is quitting Chelsea at the end of this season.
But the veteran Brazilian is already talking up his dream to return to the club one day in a new role.
Silva, 39, is out of contract at the end of the season and has found first team games harder to come by.
But he hopes his legacy will continue through his sons, who both play for Chelsea's academy.
And Silva is also eyeing a stunning return to Stamford Bridge once he hangs up his boots.
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But there are fears he has already played his last game for Chelsea as he awaits the results of a scan after hurting his groin in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.
Silva said: “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.
“My sons play for Chelsea so it’s a source of great pride to be a part of the Chelsea family – literally because my sons are here. I hope they can continue their careers here at this victorious club that many players wish to be part of.
“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.”
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Silva was signed by former boss Frank Lampard and went on to win the Champions League with Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel in 2021.
He is a firm favourite with the fans but his outspoken wife Isabelle has given current head coach Mauricio Pochettino a hard time in recent months with her criticism of the team and the tactics.
Silva said: “When I started here, it was during the pandemic so there wasn’t any fans in the stadium.
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"But through social media, it became something very special to me and then when the fans started coming back to the stadium and life was getting back to normal, I started to feel a lot of affection and respect for my story and for my start here.
“The way in which I came to the club, with the support of the club, I got to the club as a leader even though I didn’t feel like it, having arrived as the new guy.
"It’s always difficult to integrate but bit by bit I became part of the group and Lampard played a big part in that. I am grateful to him for that.
“Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I could achieve such great things and win one of the best professional titles, the Champions League, at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“Goodbyes are for those that leave and don’t come back. I intend on coming back one day.”
