Real Madrid complete signing of Eden Hazard

After months of speculation, Real Madrid have announced the signing of winger Eden Hazard subject to medical.

The Belgian has signed a five-year deal, keeping him at the Santiago Bernabéu till 2024. The reported initial fee is £88.5 million plus add-ons.

In a brief statement, the Spanish giants confirmed the transfer:

“Real Madrid C. F. and Chelsea FC have agreed a deal for the player Eden Hazard.

The player will join the club for the next five seasons, until the 30^th June 2024.

Eden Hazard will be presented as a Real Madrid player on Thursday 13^th June at the estadio Santiago Bernabéu, after undergoing a medical with the club.”

Hazard leaves Chelsea after helping the side win the Premier League on two occasions, the Europa League twice and the FA Cup and League Cup once. Since joining in 2012, the 28-year old made 352 appearances in the Blues shirt, the 23rd highest in their history.

Hazard quickly became an integral figure in Chelsea’s success, being awarded player of the season on four occasions.

On the club’s website, Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia sung the praises of the departing player:

‘”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.”

Hazard will now re-join his former Blues teammate Thibaut Courtois, who made the same move last summer. The Belgian scored 110 goals during his time at Chelsea, the ninth highest in their history.