Real Madrid Secures Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund
Jude Bellingham’s transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid has been finalized. The talented English midfielder has agreed to a six-year contract with Real Madrid, as confirmed by both teams.
Last week, Dortmund released a statement announcing that Madrid had agreed to pay an initial fee of €103m (£88.5m) for the 19-year-old. On Wednesday morning, Real Madrid officially confirmed the completion of the deal.
In their statement, Real Madrid said, “Real Madrid CF and Borussia Dortmund have reached an agreement for the transfer of Jude Bellingham, who will be a part of our club for the next six seasons.” They also revealed that Bellingham’s presentation ceremony as a new Real Madrid player will take place on Thursday, June 15, at 12 pm at Real Madrid City, followed by a media appearance.
Dortmund disclosed that the transfer fee comprises a “high fixed sum” and “performance-related variables” that will be spread over six years. The club’s CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke, expressed gratitude to Bellingham for his passionate contributions over the past three years and extended appreciation to Real Madrid for their fair and constructive discussions. Dortmund’s sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, acknowledged Bellingham’s positive development during his time at the club and wished him the best for his future at Real Madrid.
Bellingham, who joined Dortmund from Birmingham City in 2020 at the age of 17, made 132 appearances for the German club. He expressed his gratitude to everyone associated with Dortmund and its fans, stating, “It was an honor to wear your jersey during both the highs and lows. While I’m excited about my next destination, I will never forget the journey that led me here. Einmal Borusse, immer Borusse. Best of luck for the future. Heja BVB!”
During his tenure with Dortmund, Bellingham showcased his abilities by scoring 24 goals and providing 25 assists. He was recently named the Bundesliga’s player of the season. Unfortunately, he was unable to participate in Dortmund’s final-day title bid due to injury. The same knee problem will also prevent him from featuring in the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
Bellingham’s reputation grew during the recent World Cup, where he scored his first goal for the England national team in a group stage victory over Iran. He also had a memorable celebration with Jordan Henderson after assisting the Liverpool captain’s goal in a win against Senegal. This led to speculation about a potential move to Anfield, but Liverpool confirmed in April that they would not pursue the midfielder and would instead focus on squad revamp.
Liverpool’s failure to secure Champions League qualification disappointed Bellingham, who considers the tournament to be the pinnacle of football. “The goal has always been winning,” he stated last month. “When you ask me about my biggest ambitions in the game, it’s to win everything. And I’m not afraid to say that. I believe every professional footballer should have that goal.”
With his move to Real Madrid, Bellingham joins an exclusive group of British players who have represented the Spanish giants, including Laurie Cunningham, Steve McManaman, David Beckham, Michael Owen, Jonathan Woodgate, and Gareth Bale.
