JUDE BELLINGHAM became the youngest player to appear at the European Championships after coming on during England’s win against Croatia.
The Borussia Dortmund star is the first 17-year-old to feature in the competition and breaks Jetro Willems’ nine-year record.
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Bellingham, aged 17 years and 349 days, replaced England skipper Harry Kane in the 81st minute with the score 1-0 to Gareth Southgate’s side.
Willems, who spent the 2019-20 campaign on loan at Newcastle United, was aged 18 years and 71 days when he started Holland’s Euro 2012 opener against Denmark.
England’s young midfielder impressed during his brief cameo, breaking up play in the middle of the park as Croatia unsuccessfully looked for an equaliser.
It’s another milestone in Bellingham’s blossoming career, who’s come a long way since making his professional debut for boyhood club Birmingham City in August 2019.
He quickly became a key first team player at St Andrew’s, making 41 Championship appearances to capture the attention of several top European teams.
Reports last summer suggested Manchester United wanted to sign the talented teenager – but it was Dortmund who persuaded him to move to Germany.
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And Bellingham has continued to impress in the Bundesliga, playing 46 times in all competitions last term to help Dortmund win the German Cup.
One of the games was against Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-final, putting in a famous performance against Pep Guardiola’s side.
He also picked up his first senior England cap in November 2020, becoming the country’s third youngest men’s international when he was introduced during a friendly against Ireland.
Bellingham’s late appearance against Croatia could be the start of a special tournament for the youngster, with SunSport columnist Jose Mourinho claiming he can have a big part to play in England’s European bid.
He’s also been linked with a move to Premier League side Chelsea in recent months but looks set to extend his Dortmund deal until 2025.
Bellingham will now be pushing for a start in England’s next group match against Scotland on Friday, June 18.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
