Jude Bellingham: Borussia Dortmund sign midfielder from Birmingham City
Last updated on .From the section European Football
Birmingham City teenager Jude Bellingham has completed a move to German giants Borussia Dortmund which could eventually be worth over £30m.
The 17-year-old midfielder has signed a long-term deal with Dortmund.
Bellingham, who is the Blues' youngest player, will leave the Championship club after their final game of the season on Wednesday.
"I'm incredibly excited to have joined one of Europe's biggest clubs," said the England Under-17 international.
"The direction they are heading in and how much they help to improve young players made it an easy decision for myself and my family.
"I can't thank Birmingham City enough for what they have done for me, not just this past year but since the age of seven. Once a blue always a blue."
Dortmund were Bellingham's preferred choice ahead of a number of English clubs, including Manchester United.
United even arranged a meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson when Bellingham visited their training ground.
However, Dortmund's recent impressive history of developing young players, most notably Jadon Sancho and Christian Pulisic, proved persuasive, in addition to Dortmund's continuing presence in the Champions League.
In August 2019, Bellingham broke the record of former England striker Trevor Francis as Birmingham's youngest player, when he made his first-team debut aged 16 years 38 days.
He also scored the winner against Stoke on his home debut.
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Its a good thing more young players are going abroad, learning languages and building character as well as experiencing different tactics and styles of play.
Good signing for Dortmund as well.
Moved to Dortmund for less money, played a lot, got into the England team and THEN Dortmund rewarded him with a mega contract.
City/Utd would've given him a mega contract from the start and then left him on the bench, no England, stalled career.
Seriously wish more players would choose game time over money for the first few years.
However good luck to him, living and playing away from home in a team that play attractive football will be the making of him.
Chelsea and Man City are killing the academy route to the first teams by hoovering up all of the best young talent and its wrong.
Good luck to the lad, Dortmund seem to look after their players.
Man U weren't mocked enough for having to pay nearly £90m to get Pogba back.