JUDE BELLINGHAM is hoping to become the latest youngster to catapult himself on the European stage after joining Borussia Dortmund.
The 17-year-old officially joined the Bundesliga outfit on Monday morning from Championship side Birmingham in a fee believed to be in the region of £25million.
Big things are expected of Jude Bellingham at Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Bellingham is already considered to be one of England’s most promising talents after a season in which he has scored four times and provided three assists in 40 games.
But there will now be expectation on the youngster to deliver after his big-money move, but he knows he is arguably at the perfect club for him to develop his talents.
Dortmund are famed for putting trust in youthful players in their first team, and here SunSport looks at seven players that have flourished at Signal Iduna Park.
ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI
The Polish marksman joined BVB from Lech Poznan as a 21-year-old, and went on to become one of the most feared striker’s in Europe during his time at the club.
In four seasons he scored a total of 103 goals in 187 games, before he joined Bayern Munich on a free transfer in 2014 – much to the dismay of Dortmund fans.
Supporters felt betrayed after he joined their rivals, despite winning two consecutive German top-flight titles.
Robert Lewandowski joined Bayer Munich after four fantastic seasons with BVBCredit: Getty Images – Getty
JADON SANCHO
Bellingham will be hoping his English compatriot stays at the club, despite Manchester United looking to bring him back to the Premier League.
Sancho joined BVB as a 17-year-old from Manchester City in 2017 before he had even made his senior debut.
After bursting through in his opening campaign in Germany, Sancho is now regarded as one of the top wingers in world football.
And he enjoyed another scintillating season this term – chipping in with 20 goals and 20 assists.
The future of Jadon Sancho remains unclear with Manchester United desperate to sign himCredit: Getty Images – Getty
ERLING HAALAND
Although he only joined Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in January with the reputation as a deadly finisher, few expected the Norwegian ace to maintain his goalscoring exploits at a higher level.
Prior to his arrival, he had banged in 28 goals for Salzburg this term, but he has added a whopping 16 strikes at Dortmund bringing his tally for the season to 44.
Much of that is down to how the club have managed Haaland, and how they find players that are perfectly suited to their style of play.
OUSMANE DEMBELE
Dembele spent just one year in Germany after joining from Rennes in 2016 for £13.5m.
A year later he signed for Barcelona for a staggering £124m after a campaign that saw him score ten goals and provide 21 assists in 49 matches.
CHRISTIAN PULISIC
The American winger, 21, now at Chelsea, came through the academy at Dortmund after joining their youth team in 2015.
And he proved that if you’re good enough you’re old enough, as he made his debut in January 2016, where he cemented himself as a key player in the first team.
After scoring 19 goals in 127 games, he linked up with the Blues last summer in a £58million deal.
MARIO GOTZE
Another player that came through the ranks at Dortmund, Gotze made his debut for the club as a 17-year-old in 2009.
Like Lewandowski, he was a huge part of their two Bundesliga title-winning seasons, before he too opted to join Bayern on a free.
And it was his goal that secured the 2014 World Cup for Germany thanks to his beautiful volley in extra time.
TOMAS ROSICKY
Despite spending ten years at Arsenal, it was at Dortmund where the Czech playmaker made his name.
He joined the side from Sparta Prague in January 2001 as a 20-year-old, and quickly became the club’s key creative spark in the final third.
His first full season saw him win the Bundesliga title, while he was also a losing finalist in the Uefa Cup.
Perry Groves says ‘hats off’ to Jude Bellingham after 17-year-old seals £23m move to Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham City
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
