41-year-old defender closes deal until the end of the European season with the possibility of renewal for another year
The defender is officially Porto’s new reinforcement, from . After ending his time at , the 41-year-old defender signed a commitment with the Portuguese team valid until the end of the current European season, scheduled for mid-2026.
The signed contract includes a clause that allows the contract to be extended for another twelve months. If the option is exercised, the athlete will remain at the club until mid-2027, at which point he will be 42 years old. This transfer marks Thiago’s second spell with the Portuguese team: in the 2004/05 season, he was part of the Dragão squad, playing for the B team.
In a video released through Porto’s official channels, the player expressed enthusiasm about his return. Thiago Silva directly thanked president André Villas-Boas and coach Francesco Faglioli for the opportunity, highlighting that he was motivated to help the team and eager to meet the fans again.
Exit from Brazil
The return to European football comes after a two-year stay at . Although his contract with Fluminense was valid until 2026, the defender opted for early termination in December, shortly after the club’s elimination in the semi-finals against Vasco.
Thiago Silva during the match between Fluminense x Vasco, at the Maracanã stadium, for the Copa do Brasil
The decision was driven mainly by family issues. The athlete’s goal was to return to Europe to be closer to his wife and children, who remained living in London during his performance in Brazil. There was a prior agreement between the player and the Tricolor board that facilitated the release in the last six months precisely for this reason.
Fluminense still tried to convince the defender to stay, using as arguments the dispute in the group stage and the proximity of the 2026 one, but the athlete’s desire prevailed.
