Borussia Dortmund paid an initial fee of £25 million to English club Birmingham City in July for highly-rated midfielder Jude Bellingham, making him the most expensive 17-year-old in world football.
Since the transfer was announced, football fans have wondered just who Jude Bellingham is. Some pundits believe Bellingham is another in the recent line of young English footballers that will make a huge splash on the club and country scene.
Can Borussia Dortmund create another star?
Although Bellingham was highly sought-after by Premier League clubs, there is plenty of unknown surrounding the youngster. He joined Birmingham City’s first-team at the beginning of the 2019-20 season as a 16-year-old and developed thanks to appearing in 43 games in all competitions.
The midfielder’s decision to join Borussia Dortmund and not Premier League club Manchester United came down to one simple reason. The Germans have created stars in recent seasons and Bellingham could be the next. Borussia Dortmund produced American star Christian Pulisic who signed as a teenager under the noses of clubs in the United States. In 2019, Borussia Dortmund sold the winger for £54 million.
Pulisic wasn’t the first or last player the club have developed. Englishman Jadon Sancho is now the most wanted player in world football. His development was chief in Bellingham leaving England for Germany.
Will Jude Bellingham be a star?
Bellingham has the potential to be a star at Borussia Dortmund and return to England as one of the biggest players in the world. He only just turned 17 on June 29 and had already played a remarkable 37 times for the first team before his birthday.
At 6ft tall, Bellingham has spent an entire season playing in Birmingham City’s midfield in the EFL Championship. The league is considered one of Europe’s most competitive and will certainly have helped in Bellingham’s development for the future.
Bellingham could play a huge part in Borussia Dortmund’s 2020-21 campaign and will seek to emulate the success of Pulisic and future teammate Sancho.