Real Madrid has officially signed 19-year-old English midfielder Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund for the upcoming season. The German club announced that the transfer fee is €103 million, with an additional €20-30 million possible due to performance-related variables. This makes Bellingham one of the most expensive signings in Real Madrid’s history, alongside Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale. The British player has agreed to a six-year contract and will join a star-studded midfield featuring Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Kroos, Modric, Valverde, and Ceballos.
Bellingham, who will earn an annual salary of €9-12 million, may inherit Hazard’s number 7 jersey. The English international has represented his country in the most recent European Championship and World Cup and was named the Bundesliga’s Player of the Season. According to Transfermarkt, he is the third most valuable footballer globally, tied with Vinicius at €120 million and trailing behind Mbappé (€180 million) and Haaland (€170 million).
Despite being just 19 years old, Bellingham has already played several seasons at the highest level of European football and was one of the most sought-after players in the market, with Liverpool as Real Madrid’s main competitor for his signature. Madrid’s technical management worked hard to convince the young player, who had to choose between the Premier League and the Bernabéu.
Bellingham’s decision was influenced by his own preference and the excellent relationship between Real Madrid’s executives and Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke. The Englishman has been on Madrid’s radar since his breakthrough at Birmingham City, where he made his first-team debut at just 16 years and 63 days old.
In Germany, Bellingham played 92 Bundesliga matches over three seasons, scoring 12 goals. The versatile player, known for his physicality, technique, and goal-scoring ability, won the German Cup in 2021 and became the youngest player to feature in a European Championship and the second-youngest Englishman to score in a World Cup.
Real Madrid is expected to make more signings during a busy summer following the departures of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Eden Hazard, and Mariano. The club is also looking to find new teams for Lunin, Odriozola, and Vallejo, all under contract until 2024. Brahim Diaz’s return from AC Milan and Fran García’s return from Rayo Vallecano will bolster the attack and defense. The club is also working on signing a backup striker, with Joselu as the current front-runner, and a star forward to replace Benzema. Harry Kane, under contract with Tottenham until 2024, is the desired choice, but negotiations with Daniel Levy are expected to be lengthy.
With Bellingham’s arrival, Real Madrid has once again outperformed the Premier League in terms of sporting and financial potential. It marks the club’s return to the British market after Gareth Bale’s departure. Camavinga and Tchouaméni were also targets for teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Manchester United. The behind-the-scenes efforts of Juni Calafat and José Ángel Sánchez have been instrumental in securing these signings.
If Real Madrid can sign Kane, the second-highest scorer in the Premier League behind Haaland, they would have acquired two of England’s best players and boast the most valuable squad on the planet. According to Transfermarkt’s market values, the addition of Bellingham and Kane would place six of the world’s 17 most valuable footballers at the club: Vinicius, Bellingham, Kane, Valverde, Tchouaméni, and Rodrygo.
