David Luiz says Brazil defender Thiago Silva influenced his decision to leave Chelsea for Paris Saint Germain this summer.

Luiz will partner Silva for club and country from next season after agreeing to leave the Blues for a reported £40m this summer.

PSG made Silva the most expensive defender in world football when the Ligue 1 champions lured him from AC Milan in 2012 and Luiz admits his international team-mate convinced him to leave Chelsea.

"Of course [Silva influenced my decision]! Thiago is a great friend, a great player but you know," Luiz said. "I didn't even need to clarify that."

The pair will be partnered at the heart of the Brazil back-four for the upcoming 2014 World Cup while the investment is another indication of PSG's intent on breaking into European football's elite.

The 27-year-old Luiz leaves Chelsea after just three-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge during which time he claimed three major honours and earned cult status among supporters.

And Luiz says that the move to the French capital represents a new chapter in his career after a successful spell with the club.

"This is a new stage in my life, a new project in a new country with a new language," Luiz added.

"I was very happy at Chelsea, I won major titles, I made friends, I gained everybody's respect, but I think I have come to the end of a cycle.

"I will now begin another in Paris, after the World Cup. I am very pleased, it will be announced when the transfer window opens and all documents will be finalised, but we can now talk and confirm that everything is OK. It's official, I'm in Paris and I'll be very happy.

"As I often say, I am privileged; I have played at big clubs in beautiful cities. I'll have an opportunity to discover more with Paris Saint-Germain in Paris."

Chelsea FC