Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham is the most talked-about young talent in European football and among the hottest properties in the global game, writes Dylan Appolis.
With an estimated transfer value of € 208 million, England international Jude Bellingham may be worth even more than Paris Saint- Germain star Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland of Manchester City.
Bellingham grew up in the West Midlands town of Stourbridge and joined boyhood club Birmingham a seven, where he rose through the ranks at an unprecedented rate, playing for the club’s under-23 side at the age of 15.
His big break in the first team came at the age of 16 years and 38 days, when he became the youngest ever player to feature for Birmingham’s first team, breaking the 49-year record previously held by club legend Trevor Francis. He also becoming the club’s youngest goal scorer a month later.
Bellingham played an instrumental role in helping the Blues during the 2019/20 campaign in which he made 44 appearances across all competitions, while scoring four goals and assisting a further two in the process.
His consistent performances for the side from St Andrews proved to the world that he is a rising star and a special talent, and earned him a move to Borussia Dortmund, a club who are known for helping young player discover their true potential.
Bellingham becomes the most expensive 17-year-old in history after joining the German Bundesliga outfit for an initial fee of £25 million despite interest from a host of top clubs across Europe, following in the footsteps of fellow Englishman Jadon Sancho.
Prior to his move from England’s second tier, Bellingham had already represented England at U15, U16 and U17 levels and made 44 appearances for Birmingham, scoring four goals and contributing three assists in the process.
“I can’t thank Birmingham City enough for what the club did for me – not just this season, but since I came to the club when I was seven,” Bellingham said.
“Now I’m really excited to join one of the biggest clubs in Europe. BVB’s path, but especially how they help young players to improve, made the decision very easy for me personally and for my whole family.”
He made such a huge impact at Birmingham that they have taken the unusual step of retiring his number 22 jersey, a number he was given because his academy coach said he could play as a number 4, 8, or 10.
It is still really easy to forget that Bellingham is only 19 years old as he has swiftly developed into one of the most talented midfielders on the planet during his spell at Dortmund, racking up over 120 appearances in all competitions.
He cemented his place in the heart of Dortmund’s midfield and has since become one of the first names on the teamsheet at the Signal Iduna Park thanks to his versatility which makes him an al-rounded midfielder, who has the ability to play as a holding midfielder, box-to-box midfielder as well as an attacking midfielder.
Bellingham’s meteoric ascent to stardom has also earned him the respect and admiration of Dortmund head coach Edin Terzi (below), who showed immense faith in the youngster by handing him the captain’s armband alongside the likes of Marco Reus and Mats Hummels to become the youngest-ever captain in the history of the Bundesliga.
“He is outstanding and has no limits,” Terzi said about Bellingham. “He is the oldest 19-year-old in the world.”
Bellingham’s impressive performances for both club and country have put him in the spotlight ahead of what could be a summer tug-of-war between the European elite clubs gunning for his signature.
He is now one of Europe’s most in-demand players, with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United all hoping to land him this summer, but they will have to fend off competition from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
One thing is for certain: Whoever captures the services of the highly rated midfielder in the next transfer window, Bellingham will definitely add value and make any team better, being the complete midfielder.
Photo by EPA/RONALD WITTEK
