“It was an honor for me”
BVB and Real make Bellingham change perfect
06/14/2023, 2:14 p.m
Jude Bellingham played for Borussia Dortmund for three years, now the still-teenager is making the famous “next step”. For the club, this is a brilliant business that is surprisingly quiet.
Jude Bellingham will play for Real Madrid in the future. What Borussia Dortmund, as a listed football company, duly announced in an ad hoc announcement last week is now perfect: after three years at BVB, the Englishman will join the big Spanish club. The Bundesliga club will receive a base fee of 103 million euros, which could increase to up to 135 million euros through performance-related bonuses. The 19-year-old, who had to watch his club lose the championship in the last few meters of the Bundesliga season due to injury, has signed a contract in Spain until 2029. Real Madrid will present the top-class newcomer on Thursday at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
Bellingham switched from English second division club Birmingham City to Borussia Dortmund in 2020 as a 17-year-old, and the Bundesliga club had invested around 30 million euros in the midfielder’s services. The sporting return came quickly, and Bellingham became a crowd favorite in record time. In 92 Bundesliga games, the national player scored 24 times and assisted 25 goals. Now the deal is also becoming a huge deal for BVB. “We thank Jude for three years of passion for Borussia Dortmund. It was a fantastic time together,” said managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke in a club statement.
Sports director Sebastian Kehl also spread friendliness: “Jude developed very positively with us at a young age,” said the former BVB champion. Bellingham even captained his team several times last season, and his Bundesliga colleagues voted the teenager “Player of the Season”. “He has now decided that he wants to make the move to Real Madrid now. We thank him for everything he has given us and our game and wish Jude all the best for the future!” In 2021, BVB – with Bellingham in the starting eleven – became the cup winner. In the English national team, the midfielder, who is good at dribbling, established himself as a regular player during his time at Borussia Dortmund. He reached the European Championship final with the “Three Lions” in 2021, but did not play in the final defeat against Italy.
Just a bit like Dembélé once did
Bellingham’s transfer is only reminiscent of Ousmane Dembélé’s departure in terms of its dimensions. The Frenchman switched from Borussia Dortmund to FC Barcelona in 2017, the base fee of 105 million euros for the then 20-year-old has now grown to around 140 million euros. But while Bellingham never left any doubt about his loyalty to the club through commitment and clear words during his time at BVB, Dembélé once left scorched earth around Borsigplatz: the young attacker simply went on strike to defect to Spain can. After annoying weeks, the young star got his way and the club got the money. In contrast, Bellingham’s move was largely silent and orderly. “We would also like to thank Real Madrid for the always fair and constructive discussions,” said Hans-Joachim Watzke.
“Thanks to everyone at BVB and to the fans for everything over the past three years,” said Bellingham. “It was an honor to wear your jersey so often, in big and small moments. Even though I’m looking forward to my next goal, I will never forget the journey there. Once Borusse, always Borusse. All the best for the future. Hey BVB!”