Hazard agrees to early termination of Real Madrid contract
Eden Hazard is leaving Real Madrid a year before his contract was due to expire after the two parties agreed to sever ties.
The winger's spell at the Santiago Bernabeu was hampered by injury issues; he started just 30 La Liga matches over his four-year stay. He also admitted to putting on 5 kilos (11 pounds) while being on vacation the same summer he joined Real Madrid.
Hazard moved to Los Blancos from Chelsea in 2019 for a reported €100-million fee. During his time with the Blues, he scored 85 goals and recorded 54 assists in 245 Premier League appearances and won the coveted PFA Player of the Year award for his performances in the 2014-15 campaign.
He's scored two goals across all competitions over the past two seasons. Despite his bit-part role, Hazard won the Champions League, two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, and other major honors with Real Madrid.
Retirement is an option for the 32-year-old Belgian playmaker, according to The Athletic's Mario Cortegana.
Hazard is following Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz out of Real Madrid this summer. Karim Benzema is also reportedly leaving the club after 14 years for Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad.