Fluminense hoping to create Chelsea link after Thiago Silva transfer
Fluminense president Mario Bittencourt wants to create a link between the Brazilian club and Chelsea following their agreement to sign Thiago Silva.
Silva, 39, is rejoining the Rio de Janiero club after 15 years when his contract at Chelsea expires at the end of the season.
Bittencourt has praised Chelsea’s role in the negotiations process for the central defender’s transfer and has spoken of his desire for a link to be created between the two clubs, which he hopes will include playing friendlies at both team’s stadiums.
“We have a huge affection for Chelsea,” Bittencourt — who highlighted Fluminense’s English origins — said, as quoted by O Globo.
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“They treated us with respect and from this moment and now, for English football, I am a Chelsea fan.
“I hope that our calendars allow us to play a friendly match against them in England for us to invite them to the Maracana (Fluminense’s stadium, which is also home to the Brazil national team).
“It would be incredible to create a link between the two clubs.”
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Fluminense’s domestic honours include four Brazilian national league titles, one Copa do Brasil and 33 victories in the Campeonato Carioca — the Rio state championship.
They won their first Copa Libertadores — the South American version of the Champions League — title last year, defeating Argentine club Boca Juniors in the final.
Silva previously spent three years with Fluminense before moving to AC Milan in 2009.
The defender has signed a two-year contract with the club and will be allowed to train with them before his move officially goes through on July 1.
(Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
