By Kwame Bediako
Sunderland has secured a club-record transfer deal worth approximately €33 million (£27.8 million), along with an additional €5 million (£4.2 million) in add-ons, to facilitate Jobe Bellingham’s move to Borussia Dortmund.
The agreement includes a 15 per cent sell-on clause, making it the highest transfer fee Sunderland has ever received for a player. This significant sum underscores Bellingham’s rising reputation and the club’s willingness to cash in on his potential.
Excluding the add-ons, Jobe Bellingham will become the second-most expensive signing in Borussia Dortmund’s history. The transfer is expected to be finalized swiftly, with reports indicating that Bellingham will undergo a medical today and sign a five-year contract with the Bundesliga club.
The move is timed to meet the upcoming Club World Cup deadline, signaling Dortmund’s eagerness to integrate him into their squad for international competitions.
The 19-year-old midfielder is regarded as a promising talent in English football. He played a crucial role in Sunderland’s recent promotion back to the Premier League, helping the club secure victory in the Championship play-off final after an eight-year absence from the top tier.
His performances in the Championship last season, particularly his ability to regain possession in the middle third of the pitch, have attracted attention from top European clubs.
Jobe Bellingham is following in the footsteps of his older brother Jude, who spent three seasons with Borussia Dortmund. Both players came through Birmingham’s academy, with Jobe making his first-team debut at just 16 in 2021.
His development at Birmingham and Sunderland has marked him out as a player with significant potential and Dortmund’s interest highlights his emerging reputation on the European stage.
