Jude Bellingham relieved to get end ‘annoyance’ of transfer saga after choosing Borussia Dortmund over Man United

Birmingham City teenager bode farewell to the Championship club this week after agreeing to join the German side, despite being regularlly linked with a move to Old Trafford

New Borussia Dortmund signing Jude Bellingham has expressed his upset at leaving his boyhood club, but if firmly focused on the challenge and chance to improve that his future holds.

Birmingham City have taken the decision to retire his No. 22 shirt, despite him having played just 44 times for the club. But now it’s all about the move to the Bundesliga for the 17-year-old, who cites the German club’s recent record with aiding the progress of young players as a big factor in his decision.

Bellingham also said he was glad the rumours about his choice would now end, as they had been a distraction while the season was still on.

“It is sad this is how I leave Birmingham, but I am really optimistic about the future,” he said, after choosing Dortmund over Manchester United.

“I chose Dortmund because it is the perfect step for my development.

“I am just glad that saga is over. It was a lot of annoyance to me and there was a lot of noise at the time when all I wanted to do was play for Birmingham.

“Now I haven’t got the chance to do that anymore, but I would like to think I made the most of it.”

Turning his attention to the move to Signal Iduna Park, the versatile midfielder hopes to be the next youngster who shoots to prominence in the yellow-and-black shirt.

Jadon Sancho is an obvious example, but Dortmund have also brought through Gio Reyna, Jacob Bruun Larsen, Dan-Axel Zagadou, Christian Pulisic and Sergio Gomez, all of whom earned game time as teenagers across the past three seasons.

“The record Dortmund have got with young players in recent years is unrivalled in European football,” Bellingham continued.

Numerous clubs want to sign Jadon Sancho (Rex)

“Weighing all that up and the people we met there, the stadium and fanbase, it made me fall in love with that club as well.

“I’ve met Sancho and we have spoken. He is a great example of what you can achieve if you do the right things.

“It is everyone’s dream [to play in the Champions League]. You can feel the atmosphere just through the telly.”

Bellingham’s new side finished second in the Bundesliga in 2019/20, but were knocked out in the last 16 in Europe this season by PSG.

The 2020/21 campaign is due to start in mid-September in Germany.