A Sticker's Worth 500 Words

At the end of the 2019/20 season Jude Bellingham left his boyhood club Birmingham City to join German giants Borussia Dortmund. He first joined the Blues as an under-8, worked his way through the age groups and signed a two-year scholarship contract in July 2019. By the end of August he had become the club’s youngest ever first team player and goalscorer. By January he was a first team regular and was subject to a £20m deadline day bid from Manchester United. After the Covid-19 lockdowns he continued to perform well as the season resumed and helped Birmingham narrowly avoid relegation on his way to being named Championship Apprentice of the Year and EFL Young Player of the Year. This was undeniably an impressive debut season and Bellingham’s rise to England and Galactico stardom is testament to his undeniable talent. At the same time it seemed a bit odd when, following his departure to the Bundesliga, Birmingham City retired his no.22 shirt. The practice of honouring certain players f...