Real Madrid signs Eden Hazard from Chelsea
Associated PressMADRID — Real Madrid signed Eden Hazard from Chelsea on Friday for its second major offseason addition, and reportedly its most expensive ever. Real Madrid called Hazard “one of the best players in the world,” known for his “attacking flair, assists and goals.” “Hazard has world class technique, vision, dribbling, pace and finishing,” Real Madrid said. “These qualities saw him stand out in his seven years in England.” Hazard had already indicated his final game for Chelsea was last week’s Europa League final victory over Arsenal. “Although it is with sadness we say goodbye to Eden and we made it absolutely clear to him the club wished him to stay,” Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said, “we respect the decision he has made to take on a new challenge in a different country and follow his childhood dream of playing for Real Madrid.” Since joining Chelsea from French club Lille in 2012, Hazard has won both the Premier League and Europa League twice, the FA Cup and the League Cup.