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Thibaut Courtois wants Eden Hazard reunion at Real Madrid

Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois
Image: Thibaut Courtois hopes to play alongside Eden Hazard for Real Madrid

Thibaut Courtois is keen for former Chelsea team-mate Eden Hazard to join him at Real Madrid.

The Belgium international, named best goalkeeper at the World Cup this summer as he helped his country to third-place, signed a six-year deal after completing a medical on Thursday.

Courtois had a year remaining on his Chelsea deal and did not report for training with the Blues this week, before the transfer was agreed for around £35million.

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And the 26-year-old says he said he would love to be reunited with reported Madrid target Hazard.

"He's a wonderful player," Courtois said of his compatriot at his press conference.

"I'd love to play alongside him again and we'll have to see what happens in the future. If he ends up here one day, that would be brilliant."

Chelsea confirmed the departure of the 26-year-old with a statement on their website, signing off with praise for their former goalkeeper.

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I'd love to play alongside him again and we'll have to see what happens in the future. If he ends up here one day, that would be brilliant.
Thibaut Courtois on Eden Hazard

"He has played an important role in the club's success, and we wish him the best of luck for the future," it read.

Courtois lifted two Premier League titles during his time at Stamford Bridge and is keen to continue winning silverware.

"I'm coming into a club that has just won three Champions Leagues in a row and it's important to keep winning all the trophies we can," he said.

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Courtois was unveiled as a Real Madrid player on Thursday

"I want to continue to add success to this club's history. Our challenge this season is to win every title available to us. We've got a great squad and I hope I can help the team to keep winning things.

"I received a lot of offers, some better from a financial point of view, but I wanted to come here, and importantly, be close to my children. When there was a firm offer on the table, I was in no doubt. My goal was to come to Real Madrid, everyone knew that."

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Courtois passed a medical at Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital and was later unveiled as a Real player, with Mateo Kovacic moving in the opposite direction on a season-long loan.

Having spent three seasons at Real's city rivals Atletico Madrid - on loan from Chelsea - Courtois expressed a desire to return to the Spanish capital from London, missing training with his former club earlier in the week to seemingly help push through a move.

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"All I'd like to do is to thank the fans for the last four years and for how they've supported me at Chelsea," he added.

"I've got a new opportunity in my career now and I have to make the most of it. I've got two kids here and that had a significant role to play in my decision".

Chelsea reacted to Courtois' impending departure by breaking their transfer record - and the world record for a goalkeeper - to land Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao for £71.6million.

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