Real Madrid has finalized the incorporation of promising English midfielder Jude Bellingham, from Borussia Dortmund, for a six-season contract, for which it will disburse 103 million euros.
Bellingham, whose career began at Birmingham City, will be officially presented as a Real Madrid player at a ceremony to be held next Thursday.
“I want to thank everyone at BVB [Dortmund] and the fans for all the support they have given over the last three years,” Bellingham said.
“It has been an honor to wear his jersey countless times, both in moments big and small. Although I am excited for my next destination, I will never forget the journey that brought me here. Once Borusse, always Borusse. I wish them all the best for the future!” he added.
Bellingham, one of England’s standout players at the last World Cup, was awarded Player of the Season in the Bundesliga, despite Dortmund falling one step short of winning the league title on the final day.
The initial transfer figure makes Bellingham the second most expensive English player in history, after Jack Grealish, for whom Manchester City paid £100 million to Aston Villa in 2021.
Bellingham also becomes Real Madrid’s second most expensive signing, after the transfer of Eden Hazard from Chelsea in 2019 for 115 million euros. In addition, he ranks as the third most expensive teenager in the history of football.
Bellingham left an indelible mark on Dortmund, where in October last year he became the youngest captain in the club’s history, aged 19.
During the 2022–23 season, he made 42 appearances for his club, scoring 14 goals and providing seven assists.
“We extend our thanks to Jude for three years of passion and dedication at Borussia Dortmund. It’s been a fantastic time together,” said Hans-Joachim Watzke, Dortmund’s chief executive.
“We also want to thank Real Madrid for the always fair and constructive negotiations,” he added.
Bellingham’s transfer to Dortmund from Birmingham in 2020, to the tune of £25m, made him the most expensive signing of a 17-year-old in football history.
It has been reported that Dortmund will now receive a seven-figure figure due to a sale clause included in the original deal that brought the player to Dortmund.
Bellingham has been called up by Gareth Southgate to be part of England’s squad in the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, although he will not take part in the matches.
Instead, the player will continue his rehabilitation process in the England national team while recovering from an injury that kept him out of Dortmund’s final game of the season.
