Jobe Bellingham is the new man at BVB. © AFP / PAUL ELLIS

Dortmund signs the next Bellingham

Shortly before the Club World Cup, Borussia Dortmund announced the first major transfer of this summer: Jobe Bellingham's move to BVB is complete.

June 10, 2025

From: dpa

The younger brother of former Dortmund player and current Real Madrid player Jude Bellingham joins the Bundesliga club from newly promoted Premier League side AFC Sunderland. "Jobe is an exceptionally talented player who, despite his young age, already demonstrates remarkable maturity and game intelligence. We are convinced that he fits perfectly with our philosophy of nurturing young talent and giving them the opportunity to develop at the highest level," said BVB Managing Director Lars Ricken in a club statement.

"I've been here before, watched games, heard the fans' songs, felt the power of those colors. This place has stuck in my mind. Now I'm back. Not to watch. And not to follow in anyone's footsteps," Bellingham said in a video posted on the platform X. His contract with Borussia runs until 2030.

Not a bargain

According to media reports, the transfer fee for the 19-year-old midfielder is said to be around 30 million euros, with bonus payments of up to five million euros agreed upon, as well as a 15 percent share of any transfer proceeds for Sunderland.

Jobe Bellingham (right) moves to BVB. © AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS

Bellingham, who despite his young age had already scored eleven goals in 111 games in the English second division, was also said to have been on the list of Dortmund's league rivals Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig as well as clubs from England.

Club World Cup instead of U21

Most recently, Bellingham was preparing for the upcoming European Championship in Slovakia with the England U21 national team. But instead of playing in the European Championship with the younger "Three Lions," Bellingham will fly with Borussia Dortmund to the Club World Cup in the USA on Friday – and will have the chance to showcase himself on the big stage.

His brother Jude Bellingham, two years older, joined BVB from Birmingham City in 2020 at the age of 17. He matured into a global star at the club and moved to Real Madrid in the summer of 2023 for a transfer fee of around 103 million euros.