RC Lens Targeting Free Transfer Move for Anderlecht's Thorgan Hazard
RC Lens are closing in on the signing of Belgian international Thorgan Hazard on a free transfer from Anderlecht, according to reports from Belgian newspaper DH. The 31-year-old attacker is said to have agreed to a two-year contract with the Ligue 1 club, with the move expected to be finalized ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The deal would mark a return to familiar surroundings for Hazard, who began his professional career at Lens's academy, La Gaillette, between 2007 and 2012. He left without making a senior appearance for the club but has since built a substantial career across Europe's top leagues. After leaving Lens, he played for Zulte Waregem before moving to the Bundesliga with Borussia Mönchengladbach and later Borussia Dortmund, where he won the DFB-Pokal in 2021.
Hazard joined Dutch side PSV on a short-term deal in 2023 before returning to Belgium with Anderlecht last summer. At Anderlecht, he has registered 21 goals in 91 appearances across all competitions. He also brings considerable international experience, having earned 47 caps for Belgium's senior national team, featuring at two World Cups and the European Championship.
For Lens, the potential acquisition aligns with their model of smart, cost-effective recruitment. With Hazard's contract at Anderlecht expiring, he represents a valuable opportunity to add proven quality and experience without a transfer fee. The club, currently engaged in a tight battle for European qualification in Ligue 1, is looking to bolster its attacking options for the challenges of next season, which could include continental competition.
The move also makes sense from a sporting perspective for the player. Returning to the club where he was developed offers a fresh challenge in a league he knows well, having watched his brother Eden's illustrious career at Lille. For Anderlecht, the departure of a high-profile player on a free transfer is a financial setback, but it frees up significant wage resources for their own rebuild.
If completed, Hazard's arrival would provide Lens manager Franck Haise with a versatile and creative forward capable of playing across the front line or as an attacking midfielder. His experience and technical quality could be crucial as Lens aims to consolidate its position among France's top clubs. The deal, while not yet officially confirmed by either club, is reported to be in its final stages.
