Chelsea's team has been shaken up further as three players, including a first-team stalwart, have departed the club come the conclusion of their contracts

Chelsea's squad has become three players lighter, with Thiago Silva leaving for Brazil and two other academy players departing.

The end of June signalled the end of an era for the iconic Thiago Silva at Chelsea, as his four-year stint in west London concluded after his contract expiry.

Joining at the age of 36, Silva made over 100 appearances for the Blues, winning his first Champions League trophy and becoming their oldest goal scorer against Manchester City in November.

The Brazilian defender will return to his homeland, joining his boyhood club, and will be accompanied out the exit door by two academy players whose contracts were also up this year.

Ian Maatsen and Lewis Hall have already completed Premier League moves this summer too, as the club attempted to adhere to the league's PSR rules.

Silva, along with two academy defenders, Josh Brooking and Noah Hay, have now departed Chelsea after their contracts expired at the end of June.

Fluminense in Brazil will be Silva's next port of call as he returns to the club where he started his career and where he played from 2007-2009.

Silva will return home and play for Fluminense ( Image:

The Brazilian's departure will be heavily felt at the club, and though the free agent signing of former Manchester City and Fulham centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo has filled the hole to some degree, the leadership Silva brought to the table will be missed. Chelsea's squad may lose more names in the future, too, as it is rumoured they must regenerate PS100million in player sales.

Both Trevoh Chalobah and England's Conor Gallagher have been heavily linked with moves away from the club, as have Albanian marksman Armando Broja and the out-of-favour Romelu Lukaku, who is still contracted to the club.

Boehly's reign at Chelsea isn't taking any prisoners thus far, and Silva is expected to be joined by some of his teammates in leaving Stamford Bridge this window.