Thanks for everything Blues, says emotional Bellingham
ONCE a blue, always a blue.” That was Jude Bellingham’s touching message after the 17-year-old sealed his stunning move to Borussia Dortmund.
Bellingham had his exit confirmed on Monday after the Bundesliga giants announced he had signed a long-term deal. He will leave St Andrew’s at the end of the season.
It is understood Blues will receive around £26 million up front, with the academy graduate becoming the most expensive teenager in history. Dortmund won the race to sign the attacking midfielder, despite Manchester United pulling out all the stops, which included a tour of their Carrington training complex in an attempt to capture his signature.
Bellingham paid tribute to his boyhood club, where he has been for the last decade, after completing his dream move.
“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,” he said.
“Of course, I wish everyone associated with the club nothing but the best. Once a blue, always a blue.
“However, I’m incredibly excited to have joined one of Europe’s biggest clubs. 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 wait to perform in front of all the fans when they are back inside one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world.”
Dortmund said Bellingham will be in their first-team plans from the outset, with the club handing him the No.22 shirt he has worn for Blues this season.
He has been one of the few bright lights in another disappointing season for the club, who still face the threat of relegation to League One heading into their last game.
He made his first-team debut in August last year, at the age of 16 years and 138 days, beating club legend Trevor Francis’ longstanding record.
Blues’ chief executive Dong Ren added: “It has been a pleasure to watch Jude develop into the player he is today and he will go down in the history of this club.
“We have always understood that such a talent would be coveted by some of the world’s biggest sides and I wish to thank Jude and his family for the way in which they have handled this situation.
“I also wish to personally thank the staff at the club, and particularly those within our academy, who have worked alongside Jude over the last eight years.
“A lot of effort, time and love goes in to developing a player like Jude and it is important to acknowledge the role that each and every individual has played in supporting the player we see in front of us today.” Dortmund have been pivotal in the development of another young English
talent, Jadon Sancho, who has established himself in national team boss Gareth Southgate’s plans and has been linked with a return to the Premier League this summer.
The Germans announced Bellingham’s signing in brilliant fashion, confirming the deal with a superb video on Twitter – with some of their star players singing The Beatles’ classic Hey Jude.
The video ended with Bellingham walking out of the tunnel at the Signal Iduna Park and saying “Hey”.
“Jude has decided with absolute confidence to pursue his career at Borussia Dortmund,” said the club’s sporting director Michael Zorc. “The primary motivation behind his decision were the prospects on the pitch we were able to offer him.
“He has enormous potential, which we will continue to develop with him over the coming years. Jude will immediately strengthen our first-team squad, but we will give him all the time he needs to adapt to the higher level.”