Borussia Dortmund Acquires Jobe Bellingham
Borussia Dortmund has finalized an agreement to acquire Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland for a total potential fee of €38 million (£32 million; $43.3 million). The initial payment will be €33 million, with an additional €5 million contingent on performance-related add-ons.
Record Transfer Details
This transfer will not only set a new record for Borussia Dortmund, surpassing their previous €35 million investment in Ousmane Dembélé from Rennes in 2016, but it will also mark a record outbound transfer for Sunderland. As part of the deal, Sunderland will benefit from a 15% sell-on clause for any future transfer involving Bellingham.
Dortmund’s Pursuit
Dortmund’s pursuit of the talented 19-year-old was evident, as club representatives including head coach Niko Kovac and sport executives Sebastian Kehl and Lars Ricken traveled to England in late April to discuss the move. Kehl even paid an additional visit to Ibiza, where Bellingham’s family was vacationing, to ensure that discussions progressed smoothly.
Jobe Bellingham’s Career at Sunderland
Since his move from Birmingham City to Sunderland in the summer of 2023, Bellingham has made 90 appearances, proving himself as a key player in Sunderland’s midfield. Although there was interest from Premier League clubs such as Crystal Palace and Brentford last summer, he opted to extend his contract with Sunderland until 2028.
Impact on Sunderland
Bellingham played a pivotal role in Sunderland’s success during the 2024-25 season, helping the team earn promotion back to the Premier League through the play-offs. Notably, he will be joining his brother, Jude Bellingham, at Dortmund. Jude, who also progressed through the Birmingham City academy, moved to the German club in 2020.
Upcoming Challenges
As Jobe prepares for his new chapter, he is also set to compete in the European Championship with the England Under-21 team, with the tournament slated to commence on Thursday. This coincides with Borussia Dortmund’s participation in the Club World Cup in the United States. Should Dortmund wish to register Bellingham for the tournament, they can do so during the extended transfer window provided by FIFA from June 1 to June 10.
Significance of the Transfer
This transfer marks a significant shift for Sunderland, with Bellingham’s exit being the second high-profile departure this summer, following winger Tom Watson’s move to Brighton & Hove Albion for £10 million.
