Eden Hazard confirms Chelsea return as Blues legend beams ‘I am coming home’

Eden Hazard’s long-awaited Chelsea return has been confirmed with the Belgian set to take part in Soccer Aid at Stamford Bridge this summer.

It’ll be the first time he’s kicked a ball at the ground since leaving the London club to join Real Madrid in 2019. Hazard, 33, will be joined by fellow Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, who will manage the England team alongside his uncle and former Premier League gaffer Harry Redknapp, while current Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino will manage the World XI.

The likes of Usain Bolt, Sir Mo Farah and Stuart Broad have been confirmed as players, along with the usual glut of former footballers including Roberto Carlos, David Seaman and Jack Wilshere. The match will take place on June 9. Tickets are on sale

Speaking about returning to Stamford Bridge, where he spent seven trophy-laden years as a player, Hazard said: “My Chelsea family – I am coming home on Sunday 9th June! I can’t wait to see you all again. Playing at Stamford Bridge was always amazing. We won so many trophies together there. Some of the very best memories I have in football – seven brilliant years. I miss them.

“As I enter a new chapter, we can write new history with Soccer Aid for UNICEF. Together, we can and will raise millions of pounds for children across the world. So, buy your tickets and let’s have a great day together in June”.

Hazard scored 110 goals in 352 games for Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa League with the club. He was considered one of the very best players in the world, and arguably the best in the Premier League, for much of his stint in west London before sealing a £100million move to the Bernabeu at the end of the 2018/19 season.

Sadly for the wing wizard, a devastating series of injuries robbed him of his powers and he scored just seven times in 76 games for Los Blancos before leaving by mutual consent in 2023. Three months later he decided to retire, aged just 32.