Jude Bellingham says he can’t wait to begin ‘brilliant’ Real Madrid career

Following the completion of his dream transfer to the Spanish giants, Jude Bellingham has set his eyes on following in the footsteps of Real Madrid’s greatest players.

Last month, Bellingham agreed to a €103 million (£88.5 million) transfer from Borussia Dortmund to the Bernabeu, solidifying his status as one of the most exciting young players in Europe.

The 20-year-old is aware of the iconic white shirt’s storied history and has previously cited Zinedine Zidane as an inspiration, but he also has his sights set on a lengthy and prosperous career of his own.

“That is the motivation for the move in the first place, I want to be at a club that is going to be competing for titles and I want to try and help the team and club be as brilliant as it has been for all of time really,” he told the PA news agency.

“Now is my chance to be part of that history and that goes hand in hand because I know the club wants to win and I want to win so hopefully it will happen.

“It grabs you on its own, the size of the club is already surreal when you think about it, but when you add into that the project they have got in place, it was really important I made this step because it is just the place to be for me.”

At a young age, there are concerns the big-money move to the Spanish capital will be intimidating for the England midfielder but the 20-year-old has enough experience to get through it.

He has done things differently, having made his debut for Birmingham as a 16-year-old and then joining Dortmund a year later.

That means the price tag will not be a burden for him.

“I have had a very different experience to most young players, especially young English players,” he said.

“My journey has taken me to three different countries, without playing in the Premier League, so it is very different.

“I am always reminded of it when I am away with the national team and see the journeys of the other players.

“But it is something I am really proud of, the risks I have taken and long may it continue. I just try and take everything in my stride really.

“Pressure has followed me everywhere to this point. I was 15 and 16 when I started playing with the first team at Birmingham and felt that like a pressure that could be matched by no other really, so at each stage of my life the pressure has increased.

“Until now I have always proved I can handle it and if I was worried about it I probably wouldn’t have made the move.

“Because I know I have the right people around me to support me through it I think it is a great fit.”