On Wednesday, Real Madrid announced signing English international Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund on a six-year contract worth more than 100 million euros ($108 million).
Dortmund said last week that an agreement had been reached with Madrid for the 19-year-old, for 103 million euros plus up to 30 per cent of that amount in bonuses.
Bellingham's arrival adds to Real Madrid's midfield rejuvenation, following youthful French trio Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni in helping to phase out veterans Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
"Our clubs sign one of the world's biggest talents, a player who comes from Borussia Dortmund and arrives at Madrid after being named the best player in the Bundesliga 2022-23 season," Madrid said.
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"On top of that, he is only 19 years old and already a starter for the England national team."
Bellingham excelled for Gareth Southgate's Three Lions at last year's World Cup, which England lost in the quarterfinals to runners-up France.
The midfielder, who turns 20 later this month, joined Dortmund from Birmingham in 2020 for 25 million euros, playing 132 games and winning the German Cup in 2021.
"Thank you to everyone at BVB and the fans for everything over the past three years," Bellingham said on Dortmund's official website.
"It was an honor to wear your shirt so frequently, in big and small occasions." Even if I'm looking forward to my next destination, the voyage there will never be forgotten. "A Borussian is a Borussian forever."
