Chelsea youngster Thorgan Hazard, Eden Hazard’s younger brother, has officially signed a permanent deal with Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach. The Belgian has agreed to a five-year deal.
Hazard had moved to the club on loan in the summer of 2014 on a season-long loan. But with this deal, the 21-year-old will now stay at the club till 2020.
Chelsea insert buy-back clause in Hazard’s contract
The Blues were initially planning to keep him at Monchengladbach on loan, but have now inserted a buy-back clause in his contract.
Chelsea’s statement said: “Thorgan Hazard has today signed for Borussia Monchengladbach, with Chelsea having the right to exercise a future buy-back option.
“The 21-year-old Belgian signed for Chelsea in 2012 - the same summer as older brother Eden.
"Hazard initially joined the Bundesliga club at the start of the season on loan. He immediately joined Belgian top-flight club SV Zulte Waregem on loan for two seasons, where he finished as a league runner-up, with his form earning individual honours and a senior international cap in May 2013.
“Chelsea Football Club wishes Thorgan well for the future and will continue to monitor his progress.”
Monchengladbach are currently third in the Bundesliga and all set to directly qualify for the Champions League next season, provided they maintain their position with Schalke, Augsburg and Bayer Leverkusen breathing down their necks.
Borussia is the right club for me to grow: Hazard
Hazard himself was happy to sign and said: "I signed here for four years plus one year optional, because I think Borussia is the right club for me to keep growing.
“It is too soon for me to play for Chelsea. Borussia is a club that suits me perfectly. Monchengladbach is not far from Belgium and the club has great fans that always support us.
“They are a good team, have a good coach and it is a good place for me to develop."
Sporting director Max Eberl said: "Thorgan has already shown that he is a huge talent. We're happy we have managed to sign him on a permanent basis and that he has decided to play for Borussia in the coming years."