Real Madrid complete the signing of Eden Hazard

Real Madrid finally complete the deal for now former-Chelsea star, Eden Hazard.

Perhaps the worst kept secret in modern football, Eden Hazard is officially a Real Madrid player as the Spanish side posted a welcoming message on their social media page as well as released a club statement announcing his arrival.

While the club statement does not mention a transfer fee, the BBC report that Real Madrid will pay an initial €100 million with a possible €60 million in bonuses. Considering the fee paid for other star players, the rumored fee is consistent with those other players. Along with the fee, Eden Hazard is set to be a Real Madrid player for the next five years with his contract ending in 2024.

Aside from the contract and fee, Hazard represents a true galactico type signing that Real Madrid have not had, arguably, since they signed James Rodriguez after the 2014 World Cup. After that, the club appeared weary of signing big-name players and focused their efforts instead on young, Spanish talent. Hard to argue with the shift in strategy considering it netted them three Champions League trophies in a row.

So why the sudden shift back?

All one has to do is look at their past season for that answer. Real Madrid finished third in La Liga, well behind the champions, Barcelona. They were knocked out in spectacular fashion by Ajax in the round of 16 and knocked out of the Copa del Rey by the aforementioned Barcelona. Add the fact that some of those young Spanish players like Dani Ceballos, Isco, Asensio, etc. had down seasons as well as others like Gareth Bale.

Acquiring Eden Hazard was the club’s number one priority and they have accomplished that task. He’s a legitimate star and along with his talent on the field, he will attract fans to the stadium which is something that Real Madrid struggled with this past season. The Bernabeu was half-empty at times and only made worse after Madrid were knocked out both in Europe and the domestic cup.

This offseason is an important one for Real Madrid and their strategy so far appears to be to sign the players they need and focus on selling players they don’t want later.

Hazard has been flirting with Real Madrid for a while and now that desire has come true. He now joins Luka Jovic and Éder Militão as new members of los blancos. 

He is likely their most important acquisition as they look to regain their European crown and dethrone Barcelona next season.