MANCHESTER, England (AP) – Describing him as one of many “biggest talents in world football” Real Madrid on Wednesday confirmed the signing of England midfielder Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.
At 19, Bellingham had already established himself among the many most sought-after gamers in soccer, with Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain amongst his admirers.
But he has chosen to hitch 14-time European champion Madrid on a six-year contract.
″Thank you everybody related to BVB and the followers for every part over the past three years,” Bellingham stated in an announcement on Dortmund’s web site. “It was an honor to put on your jersey so many occasions whether or not it was within the excessive or low moments.
“While I’m pleased about my subsequent vacation spot I’ll always remember the journey I went on to get there.″
Madrid didn’t verify the switch charge, however Dortmund stated in an announcement to the inventory alternate final week that it might attain greater than $139 million.
The German membership stated the fastened charge was $110 million, plus variables that would attain greater than $32 million over the following six seasons.
Bellingham turns into the second largest sale by a German membership, following Ousmane Dembélé transfer from Dortmund to Barcelona in 2017 for as much as $173 million.
Bellingham is an announcement signing for Madrid after relinquishing its Champions League and Spanish league titles final season.
Following the signings of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni in latest seasons, Bellingham represents Madrid’s newest step to refresh its all-conquering midfield of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro.
Casemiro was offered to Manchester United final summer time, whereas Modric is 37 and Kroos is 33.
Madrid is getting into a interval of transition and must signal a brand new striker after Karim Benzema left for Saudi Arabian group Al-Ittihad.
Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio and Mariano Díaz are additionally leaving.
Long-term goal Kylian Mbappe has informed PSG he is not going to lengthen his present contract past subsequent season, which means he might be put up on the market this summer time.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane has additionally been linked with a transfer to Madrid.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti stated assault was an space Madrid wanted to handle.
“That’s where we have to act and we’re going to do it without any rush,” he stated. “We have time to do it without any rush. We’re looking for a striker who can score goals and link up well with the others.”
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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
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