Jude Bellingham has been appointed to Borussia Dortmund 's leadership group and named third captain as the Bundesliga club prepare for what is likely to be his final season in Germany.
The 19-year-old has starred for the Black and Yellow since arriving at Signal Iduna Park in 2020, helping them to win the DFB-Pokal in his first season. He has become a key part of their side, making 90 appearances during his two campaigns with Dortmund.
But those performances have also attracted the eye of several suitors, with Liverpool in pole position to sign him. The Reds will wait until next summer before making their move for the England international, with both Dortmund and Bellingham hoping he can go out on a high.
To help ensure that happens, Dortmund boss Edin Terzic has now made him part of the team's leadership council. That means he is third in line to the captaincy, behind Marco Reus and Mats Hummels.
That move was confirmed on Friday, when Bellingham took over the armband in a pre-season friendly defeat to Villarreal. Both Reus and Hummels had been subbed off, with Bellingham becoming skipper for the final stages.
Terzic was caretaker boss for much of Bellingham's first season with Dortmund before returning permanently this summer and his faith in the Englishman is obvious. “The fact that Jude Bellingham wore the captain’s armband towards the end of the game is a sign. He will be our new third captain,” Terzic said of the decision.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Would Jude Bellingham be a good signing for Liverpool? Comment below.
It is a move that Bellingham appears to have seen coming, with the wonderkid having previously spoken of his leadership credentials. He highlighted his playing style as being a key part of his qualities and will now get the chance to prove himself as a captain.
“You have to earn the right to be a leader, especially in a changing room with so many big players, big leaders, big characters. I run hard for my teammates, I try and put myself in the way to make tackles," Bellingham told Dortmund's matchday magazine in May.
"I know there are still better ways of communicating. Sometimes I get too frustrated and that’s something I will continue to learn. But it’s a real pleasure to have that responsibility within the team and long may it continue.”
Unfortunately, Bellingham was unable to inspire Dortmund to a comeback against Villarreal on Friday. Gerard Moreno put the La Liga side ahead on the stroke of half-time when he was released down the left-wing before firing in after his first shot fell kindly to him.
Dortmund struggled badly after half-time, with Villarreal dominating much of the ball. And they sealed the win with 23 minutes remaining when Samuel Chukwueze found the top corner.
Liverpool will be keeping a close eye on how Bellingham performs as a captain over the coming season. The Mirror have previously revealed Jurgen Klopp is a long-term admirer and is preparing to move for him next summer.
