Eden Hazard has finally realised his "childhood dream" of playing for Real Madrid, signing a five-year contract with the Spanish giants.
Madrid struck a deal with Chelsea that is understood could rise to a club-record fee of £150million, once all bonus payments come into play.
The flat fee will hit £100m, with Chelsea happy to allow Hazard to make his big move for that price given he had just one year left on his Stamford Bridge deal.
Hazard grew up with posters of Zinedine Zidane on his bedroom wall, and now the 28-year-old will work under the Madrid boss.
"Although it is with sadness we say goodbye to Eden and we made it absolutely clear to him the club wished him to stay, we respect the decision he has made to take on a new challenge in a different country and follow his childhood dream of playing for Real Madrid," said Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia.
"The memories he leaves us with will not fade. He provided all who watched Chelsea play with great entertainment and many match-winning contributions, and for that we thank Eden enormously.
"He has been a model professional throughout his time at the club, a wonderful individual to have around and a joy to work with.
"We look forward to welcoming him back to Stamford Bridge in the future."
