Hazard joins Messi on cover os EA Sports' FIFA 15

EA Sports has announced that last season’s PFA Young Player of the Year, Eden Hazard, will make his debut on the cover of FIFA 15 alongside Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

The deal coincides with EA Sports long term partnership with Chelsea Football Club as the Official Video Gaming Partner, which will bring new digital and social content for the fans, alongside experiential activation at Stamford Bridge throughout the upcoming seasons.

The announcement comes ahead of the bestselling game’s launch on 26th September in the UK and Ireland.

The midfielder secured the accolade after scoring 14 goals with seven assists from his 35 appearances for Chelsea in the 2013/14 campaign.

Commenting on the partnership, Dan Holman, Head of UK Product Marketing EA Sports said: ‘We’re delighted to have Eden on the cover of FIFA 15 and to be working with him and Chelsea in showcasing the Barclays Premier League to the amazing level of detail that the game will deliver this year. Eden’s quick, direct and skilful approach is a joy to watch on the pitch, and a dream come true for FIFA Ultimate Team fans, and it shows why he is often one of the first names in their concept squads.’

Eden added: ‘I have played FIFA all of my life and it’s a huge honour to be asked to be on the cover of FIFA 15. Now I have played the game I can say it’s the most realistic football game I have seen, so I cannot wait to challenge my friends and team-mates with FIFA 15 and show off the new moves.

This year will see the whole of the Barclays Premier League recreated on the platform with all 20 stadiums included and over 200 new players ‘head scanned’, as well as the inclusion of goaline technology.