Holding up the identical No 5 shirt as soon as donned by Zinedine Zidane, Jude Bellingham accomplished his transfer to Actual Madrid on Thursday after signing a six-year take care of Europe’s most profitable membership.
Bellingham posed along with his new shirt earlier than Madrid’s packed trophy case after he handed his medical examination and signed the contract alongside membership president Florentino Prez.
Following his presentation, Bellingham completed a quick speech the place he thanked his household and former groups with Madrid’s battle cry: “Hala Madrid!”
Regardless of reportedly being a switch goal for a number of prime European golf equipment, together with Manchester Metropolis and Manchester United, Bellingham opted to maneuver to the Spanish membership that has received the European Cup a file 14 occasions.
Prez referred to as Bellingham top-of-the-line gamers on the planet and underscored that whereas he had different golf equipment after him, he’s right here as a result of that is the place he wished to be.
Madrid didn’t affirm the switch payment, however Dortmund mentioned in a press release to the inventory alternate final week that it may attain greater than 130 million euros ($139 million).
Solely 19 years previous, Bellingham joins a youth motion at Madrid that features 22-year-old Brazil forwards Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, French internationals Eduardo Camavinga (20) and Aurlien Tchouamni (23), and Uruguay midfielder Federico Valverde (24).
Whereas he will not be requested to switch the scoring void left by the exit of Karim Benzema, Bellingham should have some very massive boots to fill. Veteran midfielders Luka Modric, a former Ballon d’Or winner, and Toni Kroos, each have contracts that expire on the finish of this month.
Bellingham joined Dortmund from second-division English membership Birmingham in 2020. His three-season keep at Dortmund ended after the staff misplaced the German title to Bayern Munich on purpose distinction. He debuted for England in 2020 and has performed 24 occasions for his nationwide staff.
Madrid has additionally made small offers to purchase again former gamers Brahim Daz and Fran Garcia because it seeks to get well the Champions League and Spanish league titles that it relinquished final season.
The powerhouse staff is predicted to try to make one other massive signing to switch Benzema after his departure for Saudi Arabia. Madrid is in the midst of rumours of a potential exit of Kylian Mbapp from Paris Saint-Germain or Harry Kane from Tottenham.
