Jude Bellingham was left in sorrow after helping Birmingham City escape relegation in what was his final game for the club on Wednesday.
The 17-year-old will join Borussia Dortmund ahead of next season after sealing a €23 million move on Monday.
Bellingham was involved in Birmingham’s 1-3 defeat to Derby County in Championship on Wednesday, and he was left emotional at the St Andrew’s, having been through their club’s youth rank before a breakthrough into the first-team last year.
“I tried my best to hide it but sometimes it’s difficult,” Bellingham said. “I love the club, I am a massive fan of the club.
Dortmund-bound Jude Bellingham said an emotional goodbye to hometown club Birmingham City yesterday after 10 years with the Blues 😢💙 pic.twitter.com/lV9Qtsflq5
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 23, 2020
“I’ve been coming here since I was seven, not just playing in the academy. I fell in love with Birmingham City and then fell in love with football.
“So just to get a little bit of time out there on my own and with my little brother, mum and dad meant the world to us. We’ve shed a few tears and I am really devastated about how it’s finished but at the same time I am optimistic for the future and looking forward to that.”
He added: “I just want to say thank you so much for the season, for the way you’ve been with me, the way you’ve pushed me on, the little bit extra that you’ve given me.
Jude Bellingham sitting on the St. Andrew’s pitch at full-time after his last appearance for Birmingham City 💙 pic.twitter.com/3cND7hvizl
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 23, 2020
“Whatever happens, I’m always a Blue. As I’ve said, this is my club. I love the club to bits. Id’ die for this club and I hope I showed that in the performances when I was here.
“I hope I was fun to watch, fun to interact with and stuff because that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to bridge the gap between the players and the fans that had maybe been there the last few years while there hadn’t been an academy graduate.
“To do that and take the opportunity that I’ve been given, it’s something I’ve had to do, but I’ll only look back on Birmingham City with love and fond memories.”
The teenager was involved in six goals in 41 outings for the Blues as the Sky Bet Championship ended on Wednesday.
