Hazard to sign with Chelsea next season

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Eden Hazard has finally ended speculation about his future by announcing he has decided to join Chelsea next season.

The 21-year-old Lille playmaker, who had long been linked with a move to the Barclays Premier League, revealed he had chosen the newly-crowned European champions on his official Twitter account.

He wrote: "I'm signing for the champion's league winner."

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 favorites 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 winners' 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.

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Eden Hazard Factfile:

1991: January 7 - Born La Louviere, Belgium.

2005: Joins the youth academy at French club Lille.

2007: Signs three-year professional contract with LOSC.

September - Makes his amateur debut for Lille's reserve team.

November - Makes his senior debut against Nancy.

2008: September - Scores a late equaliser in Lille's 2-2 draw against Auxerre, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the club's history.

October - Makes Belgium debut against Luxembourg at the age of 17.

November - Agrees three-year contract extension.

2009 - Named France's Young Player of the Year.

2010: Becomes first player to retain France's Young Player of the Year award.

September: Dropped to the bench by Lille coach Rudi Garcia due to inconsistency.

2011: May - Helps Lille win their first league title since 1954, and their first league and cup double since 1946. Voted Ligue 1 Player of the Year.

October - Scores first international goal in 4-1 win over Kazakhstan.

2012: May - Confirms his decision to leave Lille at the end of the season. Courts interest from Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.

May 28 - Announces on Twitter that he will sign for Chelsea.