Eden Hazard is now a free agent after Real Madrid terminated his £400,000-a-week contract. The Belgian had hoped to see out the final year of his lucrative deal in the Spanish capital, but after four injury-laden seasons, he is now set to depart Real in search of new opportunities. A statement from the club confirmed that Hazard has been disassociated from the club as of June 30, 2023. During his time at Real, Hazard won eight titles, including one European Cup, one Club World Cup, one European Super Cup, two Leagues, one Copa del Rey and two Spanish Super Cups. Real Madrid expressed their affection for Hazard and wished him and his family the best of luck in his new stage.
Hazard joined Real in 2018 for an initial £86 million after winning the Europa League with Chelsea. That figure eventually rose to a staggering £125 million after further LaLiga and Champions League success at the Bernabeu. However, numerous injuries meant that Hazard was barely involved in those triumphs. He played just 76 times in all competitions for Real, just 14 more games than he managed in his first single season at Chelsea. This term, he featured only six times in the league.
Reports suggest that Hazard could even retire from the game after a glittering career that peaked at Stamford Bridge. He spent seven seasons at Chelsea, becoming a club icon and fan favourite with 110 goals in 352 games. He landed two Premier League titles, two Europa Leagues and an FA Cup during his time in London. But Hazard decided to leave in 2018 for Real as he felt he had a better chance of winning the Champions League with them. The Belgian finally got his hands on the trophy in 2022, yet he would have won it a year earlier if he had stayed at Stamford Bridge. Before Chelsea, Hazard led Lille to Ligue 1 glory in 2011. He also won 126 caps for Belgium before retiring after their group stage exit at the Qatar World Cup.
If there are no takers for Hazard this summer, his time in club football could also be coming to an end. The latest news, rumours and confirmed switches from the world of football can be found on Transfer News Live.