Eden Hazard has finally realised his "childhood dream" of
playing for Real Madrid , signing a five-year contract with the
Spanish giants.
Madrid struck a deal with Chelsea that is understood could
rise to a club-record fee of £130million, once all bonus
payments come into play.
"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," said Chelsea director
Marina Granovskaia.
Hazard has now had his say on the move, revealing that the
Spanish giants were the only club he would have departed
Stamford Bridge for.
In the lengthy statement released on Friday night, the Belgian
also paid tribute to Chelsea and said leaving west London is
the hardest decision of his career.
Hazard's statement in full
"To my Chelsea friends and family,
"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. I have tried my very
best not to distract myself or the team through this difficult
period of speculation and media attention, especially the last
6 months.
"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.
"I was only 21 when I joined, so I have grown up as a man
and a player with all of you, you have helped me become
Captain of the Belgium National team after all. There have of
course been tough times, for the team as a whole and for me
personally, this is professional football.
"However, football to me is about having a ball at my feet,
playing games and enjoying every moment, we are lucky to
play the beautiful game and this is always my advice to
those who ask for a coaching tip! Play football and have fun!
"Even when we were not playing well, I tried to do my best
and this has been thanks to your amazing support. That
fighting spirit, desire and the refusal to ever give up is part of
the culture here at Chelsea and it comes directly from you.
"When I think back over my special moments in a Chelsea
shirt, there are so many, we are lucky to win many more
games than we have lost.
"Those who know me understand it is not me to list what I
have won, all I can say is each and every award both as a
team and as an individual have been incredible.
"One day I will be able to sit down over a beer and talk about
or laugh with pride about my missed penalty that set up my
header to win the league against Palace, or those goals
against Tottenham , Arsenal or Liverpool .
"The memories are so vivid because of the atmosphere and
occasion you create, I hope you always remember them with
pride, as I do.
"Whether it’s on tour in the USA, or at Sunderland on a
Tuesday night, in Russia on a Thursday, or of course EVERY
game at The Bridge – you’ve always supported me and
encouraged me to play football and be me – Like I have
enjoyed myself I hope you have enjoyed yourselves, I am only
sorry not leave with a defending award amongst my honours!
"We have many great players and my proudest moments were
always as part of the team. We’ve won the FA Cup, League
Cups, Europa Leagues and Premier Leagues all as a family.
Each one so special in its own way and of course the game in
Baku a couple of weeks ago is the perfect way to sign off
from a long tough season after the World Cup.
"Chelsea and especially Chelsea fans will always be special
to me and next season I will look for your results first. I hope
that we are drawn against each other in the Champions
League next season and every season so we can meet again.
"Before I go, one last thank you to everyone at the Club for
their tremendous effort as we lived through every moment.
"To all of my ex-Colleagues we will say our goodbyes at the
right time but I must thank the owner Mr Abramovich and his
board for helping me realise not one, but two dreams, my first
in becoming a Chelsea player and today my second,
becoming a player at Real Madrid.
"I wish each and every one of you the very best my friends.
"Eden."
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