Sunderland have completed the signing of Jobe Bellingham from Birmingham City.
The 17-year-old will wear the number 7 shirt and will begin pre-season with his new teammates on Monday, after signing a long-term contract on Wearside.
He said: “I’ve been thinking about this for a long time and I can’t wait to get started. I spent many years at Birmingham City and that really helped my development, but now felt like the right time to take the next step. I’m looking forward to working under the Head Coach – I want to learn and develop my game – and I feel like I’m progressing every week, so playing with good players will only help that. The Stadium of Light is the best atmosphere I’ve ever played in and the fans have already made me feel welcome online, so I’m excited to get going and I’m focused on letting my football speak for itself.”
Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman added: “Jobe’s a player who is focused on being the best version of himself and for him to feel that Sunderland can best support that progression is a massive endorsement of what we are doing. He has a great range of technical attributes and he will continue to develop physically despite already showing that he can shoulder the demands of Championship football. Like we do with all young players, we will give him time to settle and adapt to his new surroundings, but he can’t wait to get out in front of our supporters at the Stadium of Light and I’m sure they will enjoy his journey with us.”
