Izuchukwu OkosiReal Madrid formally unveiled 19-year-old English international midfielder Jude Bellingham at their training complex on Thursday evening.
The club declared Bellingham’s transfer on a six-year deal from Borussia Dortmund for a preliminary fee of 103 million euros on Wednesday.
Additionally, they confirmed he would inherit the ‘5’ shirt, once donned by Zinedine Zidane.
Bellingham who is to team up with the England squad for their two Euro 2024 qualifying games spoke to the media in a press conference before his introduction to the crowed.
“It’s a pleasure to be here. It’s the biggest club in history, not many have the opportunity to play here and I’m very grateful to those who have brought me here,” Bellingham told the press.
When questioned whether he believed English captain Harry Kane could transfer to Real Madrid this summer, Bellingham preferred not to speculate on the Tottenham forward’s potential actions.
However, he did convey his enthusiasm about collaborating with coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“I think he’s an incredible coach. It’s a good opportunity for me to be with one of the best in history. I’m delighted that he wants me on his team,” the midfielder remarked.
“I have a great responsibility. When you play at a professional level, you have to learn fast, although you are young. I know how important this is.”
Manchester United were also reportedly interested in a bid for the player.
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.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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