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Ammon News - Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of midfielder Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.

The 19-year-old England international has signed a six-year contract after Real agreed a reported €103 million transfer fee with Dortmund.

"Real Madrid CF and Borussia Dortmund have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Jude Bellingham, who will be contracted to our club for the next six seasons," Real Madrid announced in a short statement.

"Jude Bellingham will be unveiled as a new Real Madrid player tomorrow, Thursday, 15 June, at 12:00 noon at Real Madrid City."

Bellingham is one of the most exciting young talents in world football. After starting his career at Birmingham City, the midfielder moved to Dortmund in 2020 and quickly established himself as a regular for the Bundesliga side.

During October of his first season, he set a new record as the youngest English player to start a Champions League game when he played against Lazio, aged 17 years and 113 days.

An athletic, all-round midfielder, Bellingham added goals to his game this season, contributing 14 in all competitions for Dortmund as well as seven assists.

Bellingham has also become a regular for the England national team and was one of their standout performers at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He scored the opening goal in England's first game against Iran as part of a superb display in the 6-2 victory.

Bellingham is Real Madrid's second signing of the summer following the arrival of Spanish left-back Fran Garcia from Rayo Vallecano. Meanwhile, Brahim Diaz has returned from his loan spell at AC Milan and is expected to be part of the first-team squad next season.

The signing of one of the world's most highly rated youngsters is another clear statement of Real's ambition to build for the future. Real boasted arguably the finest midfield for a generation, the trio of Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric combining to help the club win four Champions League titles.

With Casemiro now at Manchester United and Kroos and Modric entering the final phases of their careers, Real have signed a player who they hope will build their next great midfield, with Bellingham alongside 23-year-old Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, 20, both France internationals.

Real are expected to make more significant moves this transfer window, most notably signing a replacement for star striker Karim Benzema, who has joined Saudi champions Al Ittihad.

Kylian Mbappe, who was close to joining Real last summer before agreeing a new contract at Paris Saint-Germain, has emerged as a top target after it was revealed he would not sign an extension on his current deal, which expires next summer. Tottenham striker Harry Kane is also thought to be on Real's radar.

The National News