New Chelsea signing Eden Hazard has revealed that former Blues midfielder Joe Cole was a big influence behind his decision to move to Stamford Bridge.

The London outfit have officially confirmed the transfer of the sought-after Lille playmaker, who had also attracted offers from Manchester United and Manchester City.

Hazard has said that his conversations with Cole, who spent last season playing alongside the Belgian in France, were partly behind his decision to opt for Chelsea over other potential suitors.

"I spoke to Joe Cole and what he said above all was that Chelsea was the right club for me," he told the club's official website.

"As somebody who loves the club himself, he said he could really see me in the shirt, so when I see him next I'll tell him he was right."

Cole spent seven years at Chelsea before leaving for Liverpool in 2010.