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Hazard is heading for Chelsea

Belgium star Eden Hazard looks set to join Chelsea from Lille after announcing on Twitter: "I'm signing for the Champions League winner."

On Monday night, Hazard appeared to finally end speculation about his future by suggesting he had decided to sign for Chelsea next season.

The 21-year-old Lille playmaker had long been linked with a move to the Premier League.

Hazard earlier continued to keep fans of several clubs in suspense by posting he had "made up his mind" who he was going to join but declined to name the team in question.

There was no official confirmation on Monday evening from either Chelsea or Lille that a deal had been reached over the signing of Hazard, who has been rated at £32million.

But reports in France suggest the Belgium star has agreed a five-year contract worth as much as £100,000 a week after tax.

Hazard has become one of the most sought-after players in the game this season and has actively flirted with a host of European giants.

Manchester United and Manchester City looked to be favourites for his signature until Chelsea's surprise European Cup triumph last weekend.

Hazard admitted that was a game changer and it was telling he used the expression 'Champions League winner' to describe the Blues on Monday evening.

Chelsea would not even had been in the competition next season had they not stunned Bayern Munich last weekend.

The Blues may also have been more attractive both from a playing and financial perspective, amid suggestions City could not guarantee first-team football and baulked at Hazard's wage demands.

The Belgium star, who could line up against England in Saturday's friendly at Wembley, enjoyed a stellar season as Lille finished third in Ligue 1.

He struck a hat-trick in what was almost certainly his final game for the French outfit last weekend.

He had already confirmed his preferred destination was England, recently telling Belgian news website HLN: "It will anyway be Manchester City, Manchester United or Chelsea.

"The decision will depend on the amount of play I would see and the position where I would play.

"Not everyone can say that he can make a choice between the three top clubs."

When asked about a possible move to Chelsea, Hazard was quoted as saying by France Football: "Now, yes. They won the Champions League so they will be back in that competition next season.

"It's important for me to play in that competition. Chelsea are a great team, with great players."

Hazard's agent John Bico recently claimed an agreement on personal terms had been reached with all parties interested in his client.

Hazard's announcement on Monday night was also another demonstration of the power of Twitter, with his anticipated revelation one of the hot topics of debate on the social networking website.

what do you think?

6 comments

Gary Jones

6:54am on 29/5/2012

He chose the CHAMPIONS of Europe! Good decision

Roy Peters

7:46am on 29/5/2012

I just hope he can cope with the pace and the physicality of the premier league and not be another "foreign" flop like many players in the past. We could have a "Messi" for the premier league or a "Veron"

Ian Carter

7:56am on 29/5/2012

That only rules out City at the moment, Man U are also Champions League winners.

Score: 1

John Hudson

7:58am on 29/5/2012

I get the impression he's going to be a great player, but be quite unpopular if his I'll-pick-who-I-want antics are anything to go by

Score: 1

ruta rybakiene

10:19am on 29/5/2012

Who the hell cares where he goes !

KReavey

10:24am on 29/5/2012

He claims he wants guaranteed regular football in central mid-field. If he has received such assurances then he has cofirmed that Chelsea managers are not allowed to manage, because they haven't got one!! Champions cup winners ,with their parked bus policy, but 23 points adrift in the Permiership not even in a champions league spot. I hope he turns out to be less arrogant and self-serving than he appears to be, because Chelsea recovered through team spirit, the last thing they need is a boat rocker.