Eden Hazard donned Real Madrid’s all-white kit for the first time on Thursday as the Belgium forward was presented to tens of thousands of fans at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium following his club record transfer from Chelsea .
“I have dreamt of this moment since I was very young, since I was playing in my family’s garden,” Hazard said after passing a medical exam and signing a five-year contract with club president Florentino Perez. “I became a Real Madrid supporter then. Later I went to France and England, but to arrive here now and wear this shirt is an honor. I can’t wait for the season to begin.”
“Everyone knows that Zidane was my idol when I was very young and the fact that he is Madrid’s manager was an important factor,” he said.
After changing his gray suit and tie for Madrid’s shirt and shorts, Hazard kicked several balls to spectators packing the stands.
Madrid announced last week that it had acquired the 28-year-old playmaker from Chelsea for a reported fee of around 100 million euros ($113 million) plus add-ons, making him the club’s most expensive signing ever.
Madrid hopes that Hazard can provide the missing link between midfielder Luka Modric and striker Karim Benzema to produce the goals that dried up following the exit of Ronaldo.
Perez, who had not made a major signing in several years, has spent big in recent weeks to revamp his squad.
Besides Hazard, the club has spent at least another 100 million euros on forward Luka Jovic and left back Ferland Mendy. It also plans to incorporate defender Eder Militao and forward Rodrygo, signed during the last two seasons.
But Hazard is the key piece to Zidane’s plans to return Madrid to the top.
“I think I am at the best moment of my career,” Hazard said. “I have had the dream of playing for Real Madrid for many years, but my career has gone through stages. I thought that now was the moment to mark a turning point and come to the biggest club in the world.”
