Chelsea confirm deal for Hazard to join Real Madrid
Chelsea have confirmed they have agreed a deal with Real Madrid for Eden Hazard to join the Spanish club.
Hazard, 28, will undergo a medical and is set to formally complete the transfer in the coming days. He has agreed a five-year contract at the Bernabeu.
Chelsea have not revealed the transfer fee involved but are expected to receive an initial £88m, with further payments likely to take the fee towards the £100m mark.
Hazard has a year remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge and made it clear that he wanted to join Real.
His final appearance for the Blues was in their recent thrashing of Arsenal in the Europa League final in which he scored twice. It took his goal tally for the club to 110.
Signed from Lille in 2012, Hazard has established himself as one of Europe’s top players.
In a statement confirming an agreement had been reached with Real, Chelsea described the Belgian as “one of the great players in our history” and “a shining star throughout the many successes the team achieved” during his time with the club.
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.”
Hazard confirmed after the game against Arsenal in Baku that he expected to leave.
“I told (Chelsea) my decision already,” Hazard said. “I told Chelsea two weeks ago and now it depends on the club. It depends on both the clubs.
“You will know in a couple of days. I think it’s goodbye, but in football you never know.
“My dream was to play in the Premier League and I have for seven years. Now maybe it’s time for a new challenge.”
