Real Madrid's new €103million signing Jude Bellingham could have played for the Republic of Ireland.
The Spanish giants completed the signing of the England midfielder from Borussia Dortmund on a six-year deal on Wednesday.
The fee paid for Bellingham, which could rise to €115million, is a record deal for an English player and makes him the world's second most expensive teenager behind PSG star Kylian Mbappe.
READ MORE: Real Madrid confirm Jude Bellingham transfer as England star signs long-term deal
Dortmund confirmed in a statement last week that Real had agreed to pay an initial €103million to land Bellingham, who moved to Germany from boyhood club Birmingham in 2020.
Both clubs announced the deal for the 19-year-old had been finalised on Wednesday, with Real adding that he will be unveiled in the Spanish capital on Thursday.
But Bellingham could have been playing in Athens for the Republic of Ireland against Greece on Friday night had he opted to play for the Boys in Green.
However, he instead made his England debut against Ireland in November 2020 when he was aged only 17.
England won the friendly 3-0 at Wembley Stadium and Bellingham became the third youngest player to play for their national team.
Confirming the transfer on Wednesday, Real said in statement: “Real Madrid CF and Borussia Dortmund have agreed on the transfer of the player Jude Bellingham, who will remain linked to our club for the next six seasons.
“Tomorrow, Thursday, June 15, at 12:00 noon at Real Madrid City, the presentation ceremony for Jude Bellingham as a new Real Madrid player will take place.
“After, Jude Bellingham will appear before the media.”
Bellingham was recently named Bundesliga player of the season after his starring role for Dortmund, who missed out on the title in agonising fashion on the final day of the campaign.
He scored his first England goal in their World Cup win over Iran but is absent from the squad to face Malta and North Macedonia in the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers due to injury.
He has long dreamt of a move to the 14-time European champions and recently told the PA news agency that he sees the Champions League as “the biggest stage”.
“The goal has always been winning,” he told PA last month.
“When you ask me what my biggest ambitions are in the game, it’s to win everything. And I’m not afraid to say that.
“You know, everyone should have that goal, I feel like, as professional footballers.”
Bellingham is eligible for Ireland through a paternal grandmother and his father Mark even previously shared a photo of the midfielder as a child wearing an Ireland jersey.
