10 October 2023 , 09:25
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Eden Hazard has announced his retirement from football with immediate affect.
The Belgian has been without a club since leaving Real Madrid in the summer after what was an underwhelming spell in the Spanish capital. Several clubs were linked with Hazard, who would've been available for nothing, but the 32-year-old has now decided to hang up his boots.
His most successful spell came at Chelsea, where he spent seven years. The playmaker twice won the Premier League as well as the FA Cup and League Cup. In 2015 he was named the PFA Player of the Year having been named the PFA Young Player of the Year a year earlier.
In Europe he first made his mark with Lille, prompting mass interest in his signature before Chelsea landed his services for £32m in the summer of 2012. Whilst in France he spearheaded a surprise Ligue 1 triumph, winning the league's player of the year in successive seasons.
Whilst in Madrid he added the Champions League title to his CV, albeit he rarely featured as he fell down the pecking order at Los Blancos. He was never able to justify his mammoth fee as fitness issues plagued his time in Spain.
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On the international scene he helped Belgium finish third at the 2018 World Cup. France beat them in the semi-finals before they saw off England in the third-place play-off with Hazard scoring.
Eden Hazard with the PFA Player of the Year trophy in 2015Following months of speculation the playmaker and made a decision on his future, which he made known on social media as he said: "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.
"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."