Borussia Dortmund announced the signing of Birmingham's teenage sensation Jude Bellingham with a hilarious singalong on their social media pages.
The Sky Bet Championship club said the teenage sensation would leave Blues after their final league game of the season, which will be against Derby on Wednesday.
No details of the transfer fee were disclosed, but the deal is reported to be worth more than £20million to the midlands club, making the attacking midfielder the most expensive 17-year-old in world football.
His wages are set to rocket from the £145 per week he was earning at Birmingham to a reported £60,000 per week at the German giants.
“I can’t thank Birmingham City enough for what they have done for me, not just this past year but since the age of seven,” Bellingham told the club’s official website.
💷 Last week Jude Bellingham was earning £145 per week at Birmingham.
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) July 20, 2020
🤑 Now he's on £60,000 at Dortmund after completing his £26m move!
⚽️ Here's the goals that helped @BellinghamJude become the most expensive 17-year-old in world football...#HeyJude pic.twitter.com/40uvF6tP6Y
“Of course I wish everyone associated with the club nothing but the best. Once a blue always a blue.”
Bellingham has been one of the few bright lights in another disappointing season for the club, who still face the threat of relegation to League One heading into their last game.
He made his first-team debut in August last year, at the age of 16 years and 138 days and despite the team's struggles, he managed to score four goals and and provide three assists during his 40 appearances.
Borussia Dortmund, who have been pivotal in the development of English star Jadon Sancho, made their announcement with a hilariously video of his new team-mates enjoying a singalong to Hey Jude by The Beatles.
🎸 How Borussia Dortmund announced the signing of Jude Bellingham from Birmingham...
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) July 20, 2020
Excellent 😂 @BlackYellow #BVB #BCFC pic.twitter.com/i5ZmBL19dV
“I’m incredibly excited to have joined one of Europe’s biggest clubs,” Bellingham said.
“The direction they are heading in and how much they help to improve young players made it an easy decision for myself and my family.
“I can’t wait to perform in front of all the fans when they are back inside one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world.”
Blues chief executive Dong Ren said: “It has been a pleasure to watch Jude develop into the player he is today and he will go down in the history of this club.
“We have always understood that such a talent would be coveted by some of the world’s biggest sides and I wish to thank Jude and his family for the way in which they have handled this situation.
“I also wish to personally thank the staff at the club, and particularly those within our academy, who have worked alongside Jude over the last eight years. A lot of effort, time and love goes in to developing a player like Jude and it is important to acknowledge the role that each and every individual has played in supporting the player we see in front of us today.”
