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Live Coverage: Eden Hazard unveiled as Real Madrid player

Live Coverage: Eden Hazard unveiled as Real Madrid player
© Reuters
The Belgian forward has been unveiled at the Bernabeu.

Highlights

– Belgian forward leaves Chelsea to sign five-year contract after passing medical in Madrid.
– Around 50,000 fans attend unveiling at the Bernabeu.
– Hazard hails Zinedine Zidane as key to move and reveals desire to become “best player in the world”.

8.20pm

And with that Hazard leaves the press room to a ripple of applause.

Fans may get their first look at him in action for Real when Los Blancos meet Bayern Munich in an International Champions Cup friendly in Houston on July 21.

That’s all from us, good night.

Hazard waves to supporters
Hazard waves to supporters (Manu Fernandez/AP)

8.10pm

“I’m going to try to become the best player in the world, but first I wanted to be in the best team in the world,” Hazard said.

A bold statement from the Belgian.

8.05pm

Hazard added: “I plan to enjoy myself here, because at Real Madrid you have to win as much as possible.

“Hopefully I can write another page in the history of the club.

“There is not one star here but a whole team of stars.”

Hazard poses for the media
Hazard poses for the media (Manu Fernandez/AP)

8.00pm

Head coach Zinedine Zidane proved key to convincing Hazard to swap Chelsea for Real.

At his official press conference, the Belgian said: “Everyone knows Zidane has been my idol since I was a child, and him being the Madrid boss was an important factor for me coming here.”

7.55pm

7.40pm

Meet the Hazards - Eden arrived mob-handed in north Madrid
Meet the Hazards – Eden arrived in north Madrid mob-handed (Manu Fernandez/AP)

7.35pm

Hazard kisses the ball during his official presentation
Hazard kisses the ball during his official presentation (Manu Fernandez/AP)

7.30pm

It’s almost time for Hazard’s first official press conference as a Real Madrid player.

First up for Eden is a photo session as he models his new shirt: some serious poses, some pointing and smiling, all useful headshots for the long season to come.

7.25pm

Eden Hazard takes a snapshot with his phone during his official presentation
Hazard takes a snapshot with his phone during his official presentation (Manu Fernandez/AP)

7.20pm

7.15pm

Eden Hazard is a Real Madrid player
Eden Hazard is a Real Madrid player (Manu Fernandez/AP)

7.10pm

Hazard has paid a visit to his new changing rooms to grab his very own Real kit, in which he has returned to the Bernabeu pitch to demonstrate some keepy-uppies, pausing occasionally to kick balls into a grateful crowd.

Expect some selfies to emerge later as the Belgian requests his phone before stopping to take photos of himself with the home faithful in the background.

6.55pm

After being introduced by Perez, Hazard said: “I want to win many titles with Real Madrid, in this shirt. This has been my dream since I was a child and now I’m here. I just want to enjoy this moment.”

6.50pm

The presentation is under way as Perez hails a special day for Real Madrid as they celebrate capturing “one of the best players in the world”.

6.45pm

Hazard is watching a showreel of his greatest goals for club and country with a steely expression on his face – nerves perhaps?

6.30pm

The deal is done. Video footage shows Hazard sitting alongside club president Florentino Perez and putting pen to paper on his five-year contract.

The pair then move to the replete trophy room to pose with a replica Real shirt.

Spirits are high pitchside as the official presentation ceremony draws closer.

6.15pm

No sign of the man himself yet but video clips of Hazard’s career highlights and ball skills, shown on the big screens at the Bernabeu, are whipping up the crowd, with a Mexican wave completing several laps of the ground.

5.50pm

Cue the traditional shirtless picture complete with heart-monitor pads… Hazard has received the medical all-clear to complete his move.

5.45pm

Real Madrid are live streaming Hazard’s unveiling on their official website – https://www.realmadrid.com/

Images broadcasted from inside the Bernabeu show stands packed with fans, hundreds of reporters and photographers preparing their equipment, while a timer counts down the minutes until the former Chelsea talisman makes his long-awaited appearance in the famous white shirt.

5.15pm

Supporters are queueing around the block to get a glimpse of the new 150 million euro man. This video from El Chiringuito TV shows lines snaking all the way round the east stand of the Bernabeu and beyond.

Spanish newspaper Marca recalls that 70,000 fans witnessed Cristiano Ronaldo’s Bernabeu unveiling in 2009 and wonders if that number might be surpassed this evening.

5pm

The word from Spain is that Hazard has now passed his medical, with SuperSport reporter Adriano Del Monte tweeting a picture of the 28-year-old putting in some early practice wearing a white shirt.

4.30pm

Real fans are gathering outside the Bernabeu ahead of Eden Hazard’s introduction to the Los Blancos faithful. The Belgium star must first complete a medical before taking to the pitch for his presentation – complete with ball-juggling display – and facing the media at around 7pm local time (6pm BST).

Deportes COPE journalist Alex Martin provides evidence of the excitement levels in north Madrid, writing: “Tremendous queues to welcome @hazardeden10 #WelcomeHazard”

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