Chelsea to land Eden Hazard windfall from Real Madrid despite player’s retirement

Chelsea have bagged a cash windfall through Eden Hazard’s transfer to Real Madrid – despite the Belgian star retiring last year.

When Real Madrid signed Hazard from Chelsea in 2019, a whopping £130million package was agreed, although a significant wedge of that relied on add-ons.

And the Blues have just scooped another £5m after Real Madrid completed one clause in the original deal by reaching the Champions League final, according to The Telegraph.

That is despite the fact that Hazard actually retired seven months ago.

Around £40m of the original £130m fee is reliant on add-ons dependent on performance, with most of it fully paid.

Hazard agreed with Real to terminate his contract last summer before announcing his retirement in October.

Nevertheless, Madrid’s deal with Chelsea remains valid and will come as a nice little boost to the Blues in their battle to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.

Real Madrid forked out £88m up front for Hazard in 2019 but he failed to make much of an impression at the Bernabeu, playing just 54 times in LaLiga during his four seasons.

He did manage to take home a Champions League medal in 2022 after Los Blancos beat Liverpool in the final, which also earned Chelsea a cash windfall.

But the latest payment has come as Real reached another final, this time at Wembley where they will face Borussia Dortmund after knocking out Bayern Munich and Manchester City.

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Chelsea, meanwhile, will definitely feel they had the best years of Hazard, who played for the club for seven years.

During his time at Stamford Bridge, the Belgian made 352 appearances for the club and scored 110 times.

He lifted two Premier League titles, two Europa League trophies, one FA Cup and one Carabao Cup.

Injuries ravaged his time at Real Madrid, who he signed for after telling Chelsea that they were his dream club.

After leaving the Spanish capital last summer, he was made several offers from clubs but none enticed him.

It led him to decide to retire at the age of 32, since appearing in several charity matches.

“You must listen to yourself and say stop at the right time,” he said upon retiring in October.

“I was able to realise my dream, I have played and had fun on many pitches around the world. Thank you to everyone for these great times, I will miss you all.”