Birmingham City retire Jude Bellingham's shirt number after Dortmund transfer

Bellingham is on his way to Dortmund
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Tom Doyle23 July 2020

Birmingham City have retired Jude Bellingham's No.22 shirt ahead of the 17-year-old midfielder's move to Borussia Dortmund.

Bellingham turned down interest from Manchester United to sign a long-term deal with Dortmund, following Jadon Sancho's path from English football to the Bundesliga with BVB.

Bellingham is one of the most highly-rated young midfielders in the European game, and Birmingham have seen fit to retire his No.22 shirt after becoming the most expensive 17-year-old in world football.

The club explained: "In such a remarkably short space of time Jude has become an iconic figure at Blues, showing what can be achieved through talent, hard work and dedication.

"His caring, humble and engaging off-the-field demeanour has also made him such an impressive role model.

"The 22 shirt has become synonymous with Jude, his rise to the first team aged just 16 years and 38 days and these qualities.

"And as such the club have decided it would be fitting to retire this number, to remember one of our own and to inspire others."

Bellingham, who played his final game for City against Derby on Wednesday night, said: "My family have been massive and although they're not from the area they've come to love the club.

"They handled everything and they were really adamant that the club got what they deserved.

"I've been coming here since I was seven, so it was natural I shed a few tears after the game.

"But Dortmund is the best place for me to carry on my development and I am optimistic for the future."

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