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Eden Hazard has announced his retirement from from football at the age of 32, with the Belgian saying that he has 'stopped at the right time'.
The forward agreed to end his Real Madrid contract a year early in the summer after signing a five-year contract back in 2019 having cost the club £89million. Hazard managed only 76 appearances across his four seasons in Spain, scoring seven goals.
His time in LaLiga was ruined by injuries after he made his name as one of the best players on the planet with Chelsea, scoring 110 goals across 352 games and winning two Premier League titles.
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Hazard said in an emotional statement on Tuesday (October 10): "You must listen to yourself and say stop at the right time. After 16 years and more than 700 matches played, I have decided to end my career as a professional footballer.
"I was able to realise my dream, I have played and had fun on many pitches around the world. During my career I was lucky to meet great managers, coaches and teammates – thank you to everyone for these great times, I will miss you all.
"I also want to thank the clubs I have played for: LOSC, Chelsea and Real Madrid; and thank the RBFA for my Belgian Selection.
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"A special thank you to my family, my friends, my advisors and the people who have been close to me in good times and bad.
"Finally, a huge thank you to you, my fans, who have followed me for all these years and for your encouragement everywhere I have played.
"Now is the time to enjoy my loved ones and have new experiences. See you off the field soon my friends."
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Back in 2012, Hazard, then 21, chose to join Chelsea from Lille for a fee of around £32million after watching them win the Champions League.
He would go on to score 110 goals for the club across 352 fixtures and win two Premier League titles, both the FA Cup and League Cup as well as the Europa League twice.
His time at Real Madrid didn't go to plan to say the least, agreeing to terminate his contract this summer after four seasons of his five-year deal.
He played for Belgium between 2008 and 2022, scoring 33 goals across 126 appearances and leading them to third place at the 2018 World Cup.
- Chelsea FC
- Real Madrid FC
- Premier League
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