• Premier League

Hazard opts to join European kings Chelsea

ESPN staff
May 28, 2012
Eden Hazard has scored 20 league goals this season © Getty Images
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Lille forward Eden Hazard has announced that Chelsea have won the race to sign him for next season.

Earlier this summer the Belgium international confirmed he would leave France for England and on Monday he showed his hand.

The 21-year-old said on Twitter: "I'm signing for the champion's [sic] league winner."

Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea all reportedly struck deals to sign the playmaker, but Hazard made it clear that the amount of first-team football on the table would form a crucial part of his decision.

He scored 20 goals and contributed 16 assists in 35 league appearances for Lille, who finished third in the table, this season - impressive statistics that alerted all of England's leading clubs to his talents.

There was no official confirmation from either Chelsea or Lille that a deal had been reached over the signing of Hazard, who has been rated at £32 million. But reports in France suggest the Belgium star has agreed a five-year contract worth as much as £100,000-a-week after tax.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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