Eden Hazard has sent a goodbye message to Chelsea fans after sealing a £150million transfer to Real Madrid.
The now ex-Blues star joins Los Blancos for the same basic fee (£89m) that Gareth Bale joined Real Madrid from Tottenham and Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus after leaving the Bernabeu.
Add-ons are expected to make the Hazard deal more expensive than Kylian Mbappe's permanent move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2018.
The Belgium international said: '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.
'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.
'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.
'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!
'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.
'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.'
jaydlnpz
204
Honestly this is sad, I still can't believe it, its like my worst nightmare has come true. As a Chelsea fan i mourn over your move. I'll always support you wherever you go, Madrid are now officially my second favourite team. But sadly i won't support you when you come up against Chelsea, since i want them to do well in the champions league
JonSnowsBeard
128
I think Real Madrid is building something everyone is Europe will be afraid of. From laughing stock in 18-19 back to Unstoppable in 19-20. Just took them a year to realize the importance Ronaldo had to that team. So far they've gone out to buy two players to replace one. But they aren't done yet. More to come from Madrid, and I'm not feeling too happy about it
UgwuCheta
103
hazard to pulisic= over to you bro pulisic to hazard= master please can you tell the team that i need your no:10 hazard to pulisic= play well and you have it as i do. bye bye . pulisic to hazard= Ok sir . good luck
Deeabeipru
95
farewell legend. ..we gonna miss you.. we can do nothing but wish you the best. ...in our hearts is where you will always be...we love you [Crylaugh]
TriLilion1
84
Have been waiting all this while and I was not believing in this but wherever I go hazard is sigh to Real Madrid ..... I just bought a Pizza 🍕 and coke just waiting for next season to meet the bitches on Elclasico
Zeuabcdilp
76
its the hardest it hit me more than my gf .. Eden we respect your choice but dont celebrate when you score against us i know u will score because you are the best ... Never forget your pass blue even real would be white but the sky above you is blue .. so you are always a blue .. you get the ballondor so we chelsea fans can cherish your success as a blue .. Real fans must treat him well dont treat him like cassilas .. when he retires give him the honourable farewell he deserves it even without playing his first game .. anyway adious hazardo .. chelsea is the name
Impartial1
75
Great man great player great memories great attitude and perhaps our greatest loss but we will always be behind you because you look the greatest in blue.do like you did in Chelsea just enjoy your football
yakacelnop
70
It's a mixed feelings of sadness and joy to see you leave,,,,am sad bcoz I will miss you in Bridge ,,,, but I am happy for making your dream move in football,,,, I have seen you succeeded in Real Madrid already,,,, you are a football Germ,,,, live your dream and never give up
Onos
70
Thanks for everything, we will miss you, we pray that we will have the chance to see you again here at Chelsea, if not as a prayer again, but maybe as a coach. whichever, you we always live on as a LEGEND and among the best in England.
IzmheAjooee
69
Tears are flowing,An emotional farewell.U will forever be in our hearts legend.Every Chelsea fan understand this decision,we all have dreams.Good luck champion
Eric001
57
Farewell to the king of the bridge. OUR LEGEND🍾🍾 OUR KING👑👑👑 OUR STAMFORD DRIVER... You're such an a hero to us,on your fantastic seven years with the blues,you thought us how to be a leader,that action speak louder than voice,you also inspired some youths in the world how to be patient,humble and commitment. You're such a great player both in and off the pitch,leaving us dose not mean we are far from each other,you're once a blue,there's a blue in your heart and you will be forever remain a blue💙🔵🔵. THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES YOU SHARED WITH US,EPL WILL MISS YOU,CHELSEA FANS WILL MISS AND YOU WILL BE GREATLY MISS BY CHELSEA FANS WORLD WIDE. We wish you all the best in your new challenge,less injury, more trophies🏆 and all the good things that footballers need. GOD BLESS THE KING👑 LONG LIVE EDEN HAZARD🔵⚽👊
hekekmu
30
To me this is the hardest moment of my football supporting career,i never believed you've left us Chelsea fans it was like to me someone dead in my house but i was thrown into confusion and the greatest decision I've taken is that any match you play against Chelsea i will not watch it because i know what we used you do to others and i trust your legs to any teams.Hazardous man i loves you wherever you are you always written your name in my heart.am beginning to see you the way I took drogba because yesterday night i shared tears when i saw the news because of you i will watch Madrid games often and on not minding the color of jersey your wearing this your name hazard most be give to one of my sons in time to come good luck to you the man who saw tomorrow in football.[Crylaugh]