Izuchukwu OkosiJobe Bellingham has joined German Bundesliga side, Borussia Dortmund on a five-year contract until June 2030 from Premier League promoted side Sunderland.
The younger brother of Real Madrid star, Jude Bellingham, according to a statement from Sunderland has moved to his new club for 32m euros (£26.96m) plus 5m euros (£4.2m) in add-ons.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe 19-year-old midfielder has made a total of 90 appearances for the Black Cats since 2023 when he had his debut.
The deal ensures that he can be registered by Dortmund for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the USA.
Bellingham had been named in the England squad for the European U-21 Championship which begins on Wednesday, June 11 in Slovakia.
The final will be played on Saturday, June 28.
Head coach of the U-21 side, Lee Carsley disclosed that he was ready to release players for the U-21 European Championship.
READ ALSO:Jude Bellingham Joins Exclusive Club Following Champions League Victory
Bellingham began his career at Birmingham City, coming through the academy before playing two years of senior football.
In a statement, Bellingham said he is proud of the “strong” relationship he has with Sunderland supporters.
“I will love and remember you fondly for the rest of my life.
“I hope that I have made you proud along the way, and in return, you have made me the player that has reached the heights I find myself at today,” Jobe Bellingham who had once stated that he hopes not to be viewed as being in the shadow of his more illustrious brother said.
The player is now expected to feature in Dortmund’s first game of the FIFA Club World Cup against Brazilian side Fluminense on June 17. The kick off is 5pm Nigerian time.
Bellingham is following in the footsteps of older brother Jude by moving to the Bundesliga, as the England midfielder – who also came through the Birmingham City youth system – spent three years with Dortmund before joining Real Madrid in 2023.
He added in his farewell to Sunderland fans: “I hope that I have made you proud along the way, and in return, you have made me the player that has reached the heights I find myself at today.
“I will love and remember you fondly for the rest of my life.”
Dortmund, who have won eight German league titles, secured Champions League qualification by finishing fourth in the Bundesliga last season.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
