With striker Karim Benzema out the door and several midfielders past their prime, the next wave of talent at Spanish giant Real Madrid is here.
The club announced the signing of 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham on a six-year deal, ending a transfer saga that saw interest from other clubs around Europe, namely Liverpool and Manchester City. The €103 million ($111 million) transfer fee is the second-highest the club has ever paid for a player, behind only the purchase of Eden Hazard in 2019.
The English phenom began his professional career at just 16 years old playing with English second-tier side Birmingham City. A dazzling season as a full-time starter saw him win EFL Young Player of the Season and immediately draw interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs. German club Borussia Dortmund paid a reported $32 million, then the highest-ever fee for a 17-year-old.
