The summer of 2020 marked a defining moment in the career of Jude Bellingham, as the highly touted teenager completed a £25 million transfer from Birmingham City to Borussia Dortmund. Accompanied by his parents—Mark and Denise—and a then-14-year-old brother named Jobe, Jude proudly held the iconic yellow jersey of the Bundesliga giants.
Fast forward five years, and history seems to be repeating itself—but with a twist. This time, it’s Jobe Bellingham, now 19 years old, who is making headlines. Over the past weekend, Borussia Dortmund finalized a deal to bring Jobe in from Sunderland, with a transfer fee that could rise to £32 million, signaling the club’s long-term confidence in his potential.
More than just a family reunion, this transfer could be a turning point in Jobe’s own football journey. After withdrawing from England’s U21 training camp, he penned a five-year contract with Dortmund and is now set to feature in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, kicking off this week.
Forging His Own Legacy: Jobe Refuses to Be Just Jude’s Brother
While Jobe’s decision to join the same club that elevated his older brother to international stardom may seem sentimental, it comes with considerable risk. He is fully aware of the expectations tied to his last name. Both brothers share similar playing styles, positions, and mentalities, which inevitably invite constant comparisons.
Yet Jobe is not here to imitate—he’s here to differentiate.
Hе had multірlе suitors. Eintracht Frankfurt hоѕtеd hіm juѕt twо days аftеr Sunderland’s рrоmоtіоn-сlіnсhіng victory іn the Championship рlау-оff fіnаl. RB Leipzig аlѕо ѕhоwеd interest, albeit lеѕѕ аggrеѕѕіvеlу. Dеѕріtе those орtіоnѕ, the deep-rooted connection bеtwееn the Bеllіnghаm family аnd Dоrtmund swayed thе dесіѕіоn.
Interestingly, Dortmund made no reference to Jude in their official announcement of Jobe’s signing—a deliberate move underscoring their intent to let him be judged on his own merit.
In the club’s unveiling video, Jobe states with clarity:
“I’ve been here before. But now I’ve come back. Not to watch. Not to follow in anyone’s footsteps.”
No More Just “Bellingham”: Reclaiming Identity
When Jobe joined Sunderland in 2022, he made a clear request: his jersey should read only “Jobe,” not “Bellingham.” This was no branding gimmick—it was a declaration of independence.
Even stadium announcers were instructed to refer to him simply as “Jobe,” reinforcing his desire to create a name for himself, separate from Jude’s towering legacy. According to Tony Mowbray, his manager at Sunderland, this was a calculated decision by the young midfielder to be evaluated based on performance, not pedigree.
That approach paid off.
Despite coaching changes and internal upheavals at Sunderland, Jobe remained consistent, earning the EFL Young Player of the Month award in April. His maturity and professionalism shone through—qualities that didn’t go unnoticed. Sunderland knew by the season’s end that retaining him would be a steep uphill battle, especially after their promotion to the Premier League.
Dortmund’s Longstanding Interest and Jude’s Quiet Support
While Premier League clubs like Crystal Palace and Brentford tracked Jobe’s progress, it was Dortmund’s long-term relationship with the Bellingham family that proved decisive. Eintracht Frankfurt believed they were front-runners, but Dortmund’s familiarity and emotional connection won the day.
Hаnѕ-Jоасhіm Wаtzkе, whо рlауеd a pivotal role іn brіngіng Jude to Dоrtmund durіng the pandemic, реrѕоnаllу flew tо Lоndоn аftеr Sundеrlаnd’ѕ play-off win tо fіnаlіzе Jоbе’ѕ mоvе. Sроrtіng director Sebastian Kehl аnd уоuth dеvеlорmеnt hеаd Lars Ricken also contributed tо sealing thе dеаl.
In the background, Jude quietly cheered his brother on. “His happiness is more important to me than my own,” Jude said in an earlier interview. Both brothers still hold on to the dream of playing together one day for England’s senior national team.
Eyes on the Club World Cup: Debut and Destiny in the U.S.
Jobe opted out of the UEFA U21 European Championship to focus on Dortmund’s campaign at the FIFA Club World Cup, a bold step that reflects his hunger for high-level competition. If selected, he could make his debut against Fluminense in New Jersey next week.
What’s even more fascinating? There’s a possibility that Borussia Dortmund could face Real Madrid—and Jude Bellingham—in the quarter-finals on July 5, if both teams top their groups and win their round of 16 matches.
Such a meeting would be poetic: brother versus brother on the global stage, not just for bragging rights, but to validate that Jobe’s decision to join Dortmund wasn’t just a sentimental nod to the past. It’s a forward-looking, ambitious choice rooted in belief in his own ability.
Jobe Bellingham—A Star in His Own Right
As Borussia Dortmund prepares for a new season filled with high expectations, Jobe Bellingham isn’t here to live in the shadow of Jude. He’s here to shine in his own light.
With the skill, mindset, and confidence to back it up, Jobe is poised to write a new Bellingham chapter—not a sequel, but a story entirely his own. In the ever-demanding world of football, this is more than just a transfer—it’s a statement of intent.
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