Eden Hazard said he was “not a Galactico, but I’ll try to be” as he was officially presented as a Real Madrid player in front of a reported 50,000 fans at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Belgium forward, 28, joined Los Blancos from Chelsea for a fee that could exceed £150m including add ons.
Hazard underwent a successful medical and then signed his five-year deal alongside Real president Florentino Perez.
?? "As the president said, my dream ever since I was a little boy has been to play for @RealMadrid. Now I'm here and I want to enjoy this moment."#WelcomeHazard | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/2ZZYXthiXU
— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) June 13, 2019
“My dream ever since I was a child has been to play for Real Madrid,” he said.
After signing his contract, Perez introduced Hazard, who first spoke in Spanish saying: “Hola todos” (hello everyone), before continuing with a short speech in French.
He then changed into the Real kit and walked onto the pitch, before kicking gold and white balls into the crowd and kissing the club’s badge.
✍? Signed, sealed, delivered… he's ours!@hazardeden10 | #WelcomeHazard
— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) June 13, 2019
Later in a press conference, he said: “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.
“I’m not a Galactico, but I’ll try to be, for now I’m Eden Hazard.”
Hazard did not have a number on his shirt, as the number 10 he wore at Chelsea and for Belgium is taken by Luka Modric at Real.
“I’ve been lucky enough to talk to Modric through Kovacic, I jokingly asked him to leave me number 10 and he said no,” said Hazard. “The number for me is not important.”
Hazard said Real had made a move to sign him after last summer’s World Cup, but said now was “the best time” to join the Spanish club.
?? "Hey guys! This is for you, all of you!"#WelcomeHazard | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/MyiGnETXj2
— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) June 13, 2019
“I don’t think it is too late, I am 28 years old, the best moment for a player,” he said.
Zinedine Zidane returned to the club for his second spell as manager in March and Hazard said the Frenchman was a factor in his move.
“Everyone knows Zidane was my idol growing up,” he said. “That he is the coach has been an important factor but not the only one. I already wanted to play here.”