Jobe Bellingham is now a Borussia Dortmund player after a huge deal reportedly worth up to £32m was agreed with Sunderland for the 19-year-old midfielder.
In one of the major transfer stories of the summer window so far, Bellingham has been officially announced by the German giants on a five-year contract – just in time to be able to feature in the Club World Cup later in June.
More than aware of the weight his surname brings in Dortmund, the England U21 star had an important message for any who have doubted him after his huge move was announced.
Jobe Bellingham’s first words after Borussia Dortmund transfer
Speaking in an announcement video posted to Borussia Dortmund’s official Instagram page, Bellingham expressed what the club means to him from his previous visits, but made sure to show fans that he is there on his own merit.
“I’ve been here before. Watching games, hearing the fans chant, feeling the power of these colours,” said Bellingham. “This place stuck with me – now I’m here again.
“Not to watch, and not to follow anyone’s footsteps. The same stadium, the same city. But the story? That’s ours to write now.”
Bellingham will become the latest in a host of young English players to make a move to Dortmund early in their careers, and he will know as well as anyone the atmosphere the club provides for young players to grow and thrive.
Jobe Bellingham will continue a Young Lions legacy in Dortmund
His brother Jude Bellingham is arguably the most famous example. Bellingham joined for £25m from Birmingham City in 2020 as a 17-year-old before departing just three seasons later for a figure which could rise to £113m.
Another young English player who became a star in Dortmund is Jadon Sancho, who played the best football of his career so far for BVB after joining from Manchester City in his academy days. It can be argued that Sancho was one of the trailblazers for modern-day young English players to go abroad before even playing in the Premier League.
Signal Iduna Park’s most recent young English star is Jamie Gittens, who has been linked with a summer move to Chelsea after starring during four seasons in the Bundesliga. Gittens was joined last season by Carney Chukwuemeka, who made 13 appearances after joining on loan from Enzo Maresca’s Blues during the January transfer window.
| Player Name | Position | Years at Dortmund | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jude Bellingham | Midfielder | 2020–2023 | 132 | 24 |
| Jadon Sancho | Winger | 2017–2021, 2024– | 137 | 50 |
| Jamie Bynoe-Gittens | Winger | 2020–present | 38+ | 3+ |
Jobe Bellingham will become the fifth young English star to step out in front of the Yellow Wall in recent years, and he will know the legacy left by those who came before him – but with Jobe on his back, the teenager will set out to begin his Dortmund career on his own terms.