June 03, (THEWILL) – Real Madrid have bid farewell to Eden Hazard, as the Belgian winger’s tumultuous spell with the club comes to an end.
In a press release issued on Saturday evening, the Spanish giants announced that both parties had reached a mutual agreement to terminate Hazard’s contract, officially severing their ties. Since his high-profile move from Chelsea in 2019, Hazard’s time in the Spanish capital has been marred by persistent injuries and struggles with fitness, leaving him far from his best form.
Hazard’s journey to Madrid began after making a name for himself during Lille’s triumphant 2010-2011 Ligue 1 campaign. Following his impressive performances, Chelsea secured his services in 2012, shortly after their unexpected UEFA Champions League final win over Bayern Munich. Over the course of seven seasons at Stamford Bridge, the Belgian maestro showcased his brilliance, scoring 138 goals, providing 105 assists, and clinching two English Premier League titles.
He also added an FA Cup, a League Cup, and two UEFA Europa League trophies to his illustrious collection. His impact extended to the international stage, where he played a pivotal role in guiding Belgium to a commendable third-place finish in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The much-anticipated move to Real Madrid materialised in the subsequent summer, with the deal reportedly worth an initial £88.3 million, potentially rising to £142 million.
As part of a busy transfer window for Los Blancos, Hazard joined the ranks alongside other notable signings, including Serbian striker, Luka Jovic; Brazilian defender, Eder Militao; Lyon full-back, Ferland Mendy, and emerging talent Rodrygo from Santos.
However, despite Madrid’s success in claiming the La Liga title and triumphing over Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup, Hazard’s impact remained limited due to recurring injuries. He managed just over 1500 minutes of play across all competitions, as a series of setbacks, including a hamstring injury, a cracked foot bone, and a fractured fibula, kept him on the sidelines for extended periods.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
