Hazard released a statement on social media after the announcement, which read: “You now know that I will be joining Real Madrid. It’s no secret that it was my dream to play for them since I was a young boy just scoring my first goal.
“Now the clubs have reached an agreement I hope you understand I had to pursue my next chapter, just as each and every one of you should when you have the chance to pursue your dreams.
“Leaving Chelsea is the biggest and toughest decision in my career to date. Now it’s in the open I would like to put on record one thing was always clear to me, I have loved every moment at Chelsea and not once did I ever consider, nor would I have left for any other club.”
Ruben Loftus-Cheek✔@rubey_lcheek
Good luck my bro. It has been a pleasure playing in the same team with you. @hazardeden10 51.5K9:31 PM – Jun 7, 20198,355 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: “Although it is with sadness we say goodbye to Eden and we made it absolutely clear to him the club wished him to stay, we respect the decision he has made to take on a new challenge in a different country and follow his childhood dream of playing for Real Madrid.
“The memories he leaves us with will not fade. He provided all who watched Chelsea play with great entertainment and many match-winning contributions, and for that we thank Eden enormously.
“He has been a model professional throughout his time at the club, a wonderful individual to have around and a joy to work with.
“We look forward to welcoming him back to Stamford Bridge in the future.”
#WelcomeHazard268K9:10 PM – Jun 7, 2019116K people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy
A £32m signing from Lille in 2012, Hazard made 352 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 110 goals. He won two Premier League titles, two Europa Leagues, the FA Cup and League Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Hazard becomes Madrid’s second major signing after Frankfurt’s Luka Jovic, in a summer of rebuilding in Zinedine Zidane’s second stint as manager at the Bernabeu.
‘Hazard can make the difference’
Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon believes Hazard is a fantastic signing for the club and he can be the player to make a difference for Zinedine Zidane’s side next season.
“I think it is fantastic news for Real Madrid,” he said. “The player is one of those that anyone would like to have on thier team – good dribbling, excellent passing and he can play both flanks because he uses the two feet.
“He can play as a winger, attacking midfielder and also a false nine so it’s perfect. I think it has been a good opportunity to take advantage of the decision of the player to leave Chelsea.
“This is the real one, the other three [signings] I’m not quite sure but Eden Hazard is really that player that can make the difference in a team and I hope he would be able to play at the same level he has been in the Premier [League].”
Analysis: Hazard’s stunning stats
Hazard has just enjoyed his most productive season in English football with 16 goals and 15 assists. In this interactive feature, we take a deep dive into his stunning stats to illustrate just why Zinedine Zidane made his signing a priority…
WATCH: Hazard’s best bits
Take a look at some of Eden Hazard’s top Premier League moments from 2018/19.
