Chelsea complete signing of coveted Hazard
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
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Chelsea FC will defend their UEFA Champions League title with the help of Eden Hazard after completing a deal believed to be in the region of nearly €40m for the Belgium attacker.
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Chelsea FC have completed a deal to sign Eden Hazard from LOSC Lille Métropole for a reported fee of nearly €40m.
Chelsea agreed the transfer with Lille last week and Hazard has now passed a medical and signed personal terms. The Belgian international forward will join the club in July when the players return for pre-season training. "I'm delighted to finally arrive here, it's a wonderful club and I can't wait to get started," he told the west London club's website.
Hazard, 21, had been with Lille since 2005 and helped them to a league and cup double in 2010/11. He was named Ligue 1 player of the year, claiming the award again last season. Hazard becomes the second player to firm up a move to Stamford Bridge this summer following April's announcement that SV Werder Bremen's Marko Marin will join the Blues before the start of 2012/12.
Chelsea won their maiden UEFA Champions League title under the temporary charge of Roberto Di Matteo earlier this month but are yet to appoint a permanent successor to André Villas-Boas.
