Borussia Dortmund have announced the signing of 17-year-old Birmingham City midfielder Jude Bellingham for a fee which could rise to €25 million.
“The primary motivation behind his decision were the prospects on the pitch we were able to offer him,” said sporting director Michael Zorc.
“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.”
The Bundesliga club have beaten both Bayern Munich and Manchester United to the signing of Bellingham, who has joined “one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
“I can’t thank Birmingham City enough for what they have done for me. Not just this season, but since the age of seven,” said Bellingham.
“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.”
