Thiago Silva, a veteran defender who left Chelsea at the end of the season, will rejoin Fluminense in Brazil.

After declaring last week that he would not be extending his Chelsea contract, center back David Silva, 39, signed a free transfer to Fluminense on Tuesday.

“The monster is back,” the reigning Copa Libertadores winner said beside a photo of Silva sporting a Fluminense shirt on social media.

Silva was a player for Fluminense from 2006–2008. In 2009, he departed for AC Milan and joined Paris Saint-German three years later. The Brazilian won the Champions League the year after joining Chelsea in 2020.

For the previous four World Cups, the defender was a member of Brazil’s squad. Along with the national squad, he also won the 2019 Copa América and the 2013 Confederations Cup.

When Brazil’s transfer window reopens in July, Silva is anticipated to join Fluminense.