Jude Bellingham: Birmingham City to the Bernabéu

This week, Jude Bellingham became the most expensive British footballer of all time after completing a record-breaking move to Real Madrid.

Just four years ago, he was about to burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old in the Sky Bet Championship.

Here’s a timeline of his journey from Birmingham City to the Bernabéu.

💫🎬 From @BCFCAcademy to @realmadriden galactico, here’s the story of @BellinghamJude’s rise to the top. #EFL | #RaisedInTheEFL

— EFL (@EFL) June 14, 2023

6 August 2019 – Becomes Birmingham’s youngest-ever player when making his senior bow in the Carabao Cup against Portsmouth.

31 August 2019 – Scores his first senior goal, bagging the winner in just his second league outing against Stoke City.

14 September 2019 – Nets another winning goal at Charlton Athletic on his first league start.

20 July 2020 – Agrees to sign for German giants Borussia Dortmund for an initial €25million, becoming the most expensive 17-year-old in football history.

22 July 2020 – Plays his final game for Birmingham, completing his first season in professional football with four goals in 44 appearances.

23 July 2020 – Birmingham announce they will retire the number 22 shirt of the outgoing teenager.

27 August 2020 – Scoops the EFL Young Player of the Season and LFE Championship Apprentice of the Season awards.

14 September 2020 – Scores on his Dortmund debut in a 5-0 win over Duisburg, becoming the Club’s youngest goalscorer.

20 October 2020 – Features in the Champions League for the first time, becoming the youngest Englishman to appear in the competition.

10 November 2020 – Earns his first call-up to the senior England squad.

12 November 2020 – Comes off the bench to gain his first international cap during a 3-0 win over Republic of Ireland.

13 May 2021 – Wins his first major trophy – the German Cup – following a 4-1 win against RB Leipzig.

2 June 2021 – Named the Bundesliga’s Newcomer of the Season.

13 June 2021 – Becomes the youngest-ever player to represent England at a major tournament during a UEFA Euro 2020 victory over Croatia.

21 November 2022 – Opens the scoring in England’s World Cup opener against Iran – his first international goal.

14 June 2023 – Signs a six-year contract to join historic La Liga outfit Real Madrid.