Chelsea sign Brazilian defender Silva

ANKARA

English Premier League club Chelsea signed Brazilian central defender Thiago Silva on Friday.

"Chelsea Football Club has completed the signing of one of the big names in world football with Thiago Silva joining on a one-year contract, with the club having the option of a further 12 months," the London club said in a statement.

Silva left Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as his contract ran out this summer.

The 35-year-old said that he is pleased to have joined Chelsea under the helm of English manager Frank Lampard.

"I'm here to challenge for honours. See you soon Chelsea fans, I look forward to playing at Stamford Bridge very soon," he added.

Silva is one of the most respected defenders around the globe. He previously played for Italian club AC Milan and French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain.

He was a PSG player in 2012-2020 and was promoted to Paris club's captaincy.

In the eight-year-spell in Paris, the Brazilian international won 25 trophies, including seven French league titles.

Silva scored 17 goals in 315 matches for PSG.

In 2011, he was the Italian champion with AC Milan.