Birmingham City teenager Jude Bellingham has completed his move to German giants Borussia Dortmund on a long-term deal.
The 17-year-old will leave the Championship club after their final game of the season on Wednesday. He will link up with his new teammates in Dortmund on July 30th, ahead of a week-long training camp in Switzerland.
Dortmund gave the youngster, who was a reportedly a Manchester United target for some time, a very unique welcome with a video on their social media accounts today.
The England underage international said he couldn't wait to get on the pitch with his new club, where he will wear the same number 22 jersey he had at Birmingham.
"I can’t thank Birmingham City enough for what they have done for me – not just this season, but since the age of 7. 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 the biggest clubs in Europe. The direction they are heading in and how much they help young players improve made it an easy decision for me personally and my family.
"I can’t wait to perform in front of over 80,000 fans when they are back inside one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world – hopefully as soon as possible!"
Dortmund's sporting director, Michael Zorc, added that the promise of regular game time in the Bundesliga was key in securing Bellingham's signature.
𝗢𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲, 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲! 💙 pic.twitter.com/PQIvkUVcBb
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) July 20, 2020
"Jude Bellingham has decided with absolute confidence to pursue his career at Borussia Dortmund. 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 together with him over the coming years. He already boasts astonishing quality with and without the ball, and has a strong mentality to boot.
"Jude will immediately strengthen our first team squad, but we will certainly give him all the time he needs to adapt to the higher level of play."
Birmingham haven't won a game since beating Barnsley in February, and sit just two points above the Championship relegation zone heading into the final round of fixtures.
Blues CEO Dong Ren paid tribute to Bellingham today once news of his departure from St Andrews was confirmed.
"Jude is an outstanding young player who has the ability, focus and desire to go to the very top. He is also a mature, well-rounded and intelligent young man who acts with the greatest of professionalism both on and off the pitch. 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.
It hurts more than anything but we won’t give up! #KRO pic.twitter.com/u4G0a4HzUc
— Jude Bellingham (@BellinghamJude) July 18, 2020
"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.
"We are naturally sorry to see one of our own leave but we have no doubt this is just the start of what will be an outstanding career. We wish Jude every success for the future and will continue to support him every step of the way."
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