MX23RW : Monday, June 3 14:08:12| >> :60:206:206:

Jude Bellingham "cannot wait" to play for Dortmund after sealing move from Birmingham

Jude Bellingham
© Reuters
The deal is reported to be worth more than £20m to the Championship club.

Birmingham have reached an agreement for the sale of teenage star Jude Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund.

The Championship club said the 17-year-old attacking midfielder would leave Blues after their final league game of the season, which will be against Derby on Wednesday.

No details of the transfer fee were disclosed, but the deal is reported to be worth more than £20million to the midlands club.

"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," Bellingham told the club's official website.

"Of course I wish everyone associated with the club nothing but the best. Once a blue always a blue."

Bellingham 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.

"I'm incredibly excited to have joined one of Europe's biggest clubs," Bellingham said.

"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."

Blues chief executive Dong Ren said: "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.

ID:407263: cacheID:407263:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:11998:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Brentford's Ethan Pinnock celebrates with teammates after his winning goal against Charlton on July 7, 2020
Read Next:
Saturday's Championship predictions including Stoke vs. Brentford
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CBayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen34286089246590
2Stuttgart34234778393973
3Bayern MunichBayern34233894454972
4RB Leipzig34198777393865
5Borussia DortmundDortmund34189768432563
6Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt34111495150147
7Hoffenheim34137146666046
8Heidenheim341012125055-542
9Werder Bremen34119144854-642
10Freiburg34119144558-1342
11Augsburg34109155060-1039
12Wolfsburg34107174156-1537
13Mainz 05Mainz34714133951-1235
14Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach34713145667-1134
15Union BerlinUnion Berlin3496193358-2533
16VfL BochumVfL Bochum34712154274-3233
RFC Koln34512172860-3227
RSV Darmstadt 98Darmstadt3438233086-5617


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!