Real Madrid have secured the acquisition of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund in a deal reportedly worth 88.5 million pounds plus add-ons.
The Spanish Powerhouse signed the 19-year-old England International on a contract until the summer of 2028.
According to reports, Jude Bellingham who started his playing career at Birmingham City will be presented as a new Real Madrid signing at a ceremony on Thursday, the 15th day of June 2023.
The initial contract will see Jude Bellingham become the second-most expensive English player after Manchester City paid 100 million pounds for Aston Villa to acquire Jack Grealish in the summer of 2021.
In addition to being the third most expensive youngster ever, Bellingham is Real Madrid’s second most expensive signing, after only Eden Hazard’s 115 million euro transfer from Chelsea in the summer of 2019.
Atletico Madrid spent 126 million euros to acquire Joao Felix from Benfica in 2019, while Paris St. Germain paid Monaco 180 million euros for France star Kylian Mbappe in 2018.
Bellingham thrived in Dortmund, where he became the club’s youngest captain at the age of 19 in October of last year.
In 42 appearances for his team in 2022-23, he earned 14 goals and seven assists.
When Dortmund paid £25 million to Birmingham in 2020 for Bellingham, he became the most expensive player ever at the age of 17.
The Championship club’s decision to retire the teen’s jersey number after just one season of professional play drew criticism.
Gareth Southgate has selected Bellingham to be in England’s current squad for their forthcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, but he will not play in either of those games.
The player, who was injured and missed Dortmund’s last game of the season, will instead continue his recovery in the English system.
Bellingham, one of England’s greatest performers at the World Cup last year, was voted the Bundesliga’s player of the season as Dortmund narrowly failed to win its first league title in 11 years.
Following the transfer of Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid, the 19-year-old young talent said: “Thank you to everyone at BVB (Dortmund) and the fans for everything over the past three years”.
“It’s been an honor to wear your jersey so many times, in big and small moments”.
He added: “Even though I look forward to my next destination, I will never forget the journey there. Once a Borusse, always a Borusse. All the best for the future”.
In response to Jude Bellingham’s goodbye message to Borussia Dortmund, the club’s chief executive Hans Joachim Watzke said: “We thank Jude for three years of passion for Dortmund. It was a fantastic time together”.
He added: “We would also like to thank Real Madrid for the always fair and constructive discussions”.
It was reported earlier this month that Jude Bellingham had bid his teammates farewell following the sweet bitter Bundesliga season, where he was pictured handing a gift to the club supporters and security guards.
What’s next for Jude Bellingham?
After missing out on England’s team that will play against Malta and North Macedonia due to injury, Bellingham is currently on vacation ahead of his official move to the Spanish capital.
Thereafter, the former Birmingham City player will be looking forward to joining the 14 times UEFA Champions League winning club on Thursday as scheduled by the 2023 Copa de Rey champions.
