Official: Real Madrid confirm Jude Bellingham transfer from Borussia Dortmund

Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.

Bellingham, 19, has signed a six-year deal with Madrid.

The Athletic reported last week that Madrid had reached an agreement with Dortmund to sign the 19-year-old midfielder.

Dortmund later confirmed Madrid had agreed to pay them €103million in what will be one of the highest-value transfers in the history of both clubs.

Madrid will officially present Bellingham at a press conference on Thursday at 11am BST.

Bellingham has grown into one of Europe’s most-wanted midfield players with a host of the continent’s biggest teams known to be previously monitoring his situation at Dortmund.

The Birmingham City academy graduate rose through the ranks with the Championship club before joining Dortmund in the summer of 2020.

He has gone on to establish himself as a key player for the Bundesliga side, often captaining them, as well as becoming a regular in Gareth Southgate’s England team.

Bellingham is set to join an array of young midfield talent that Madrid have amassed in recent years.

Eduardo Camavinga was signed from Rennes in the summer of 2020 while fellow France international Aurelien Tchouameni arrived from Monaco last summer.

‘The most rounded talent in football’

Analysis by Mark Carey

The Athletic has previously analysed Bellingham’s playing profile with a data and tactics spin — outlining the teenager to be incredibly well-rounded in his playing profile. This is particularly notable when comparing him against his peers across Europe this season.

No midfielder ranks higher than Bellingham’s 15.3 progressive passes per 100 touches, highlighting just how often he looks to get the ball forward.

Meanwhile, Bellingham’s (possession-adjusted) 5.2 tackles and interceptions per 90 place him in the top 10 per cent of his peers — highlighting his defensive work rate — with an attacking contribution of 0.38 expected goals (xG) plus expected assists (xA) per 90 also among the top 10 per cent of midfielders across Europe.

Combine those traits and we can visualise just how versatile Bellingham’s skill set is.

Edin Terzic rotated between a 4-2-3-1, a 4-3-3 and a 4-1-4-1 system at Dortmund this season, and Bellingham has showcased his versatility to play as a No 4, No 8 and No 10.

He is indeed a ‘Jude of all trades’.