REAL DEAL
Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid shirt number revealed as he takes legend’s old top after £115m transfer
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JUDE BELLINGHAM has been given the number five shirt after being unveiled as a Real Madrid player.
He follows in the footsteps of legend Zinedine Zidane who wore the same number during his spell at the Bernabeu.
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The England star completed a £115million transfer to Real this week.
Bellingham has become the most expensive British player of all time and his transfer fee is the second-highest Real have paid for a player.
So it is little surprise his arrival has been greeted with huge fanfare by Los Blancos.
The 19-year-old posed for photos with club president Florentino Pérez before a highlights reel of his best moments was played in front of an audience.
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Bellingham sat alongside his parents as the video montage played, which included highlights of the youngster playing for England.
Unfortunately, the midfielder was unable to showcase his skills like Real arrivals often do as he is suffering with a knee injury.
But Perez paid tribute to his latest Galactico by praising his career to date.
Bellingham spoke to the crowd in Spanish initially and described his signing as the "proudest" day of his life.
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He said: "Hola Madristas. I just want to say thank you everyone in the room and everyone watching online for joining me for the proudest day of my life.
"The day when I join the greatest football club in the history of the game.
"Thank you very much. There's a lot of people to thank for getting me to this point - Borussia Dortmund, Birmingham City, the people that work there but also the bosses here and the president.
"And of course most importantly my family for all the support and making the deal as easy as possible. So thank you very much and finally, Hala Madrid!"
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Bellingham explained why he asked Jesus Vallejo to give up the no5 for him - citing Zidane, who won 16 major honours as a player and manager at Real - as an inspiration.
Jude said: "I really admire Zidane and the legacy he has at this club with the No5.
"It's a number that inspires me. I've worn 22 for a long time and in my heart I'll continue to wear 22. I'm delighted to wear the No5."
Bellingham was recently named Bundesliga player of the season after his starring role for Dortmund, who missed out on the title on the final day of the campaign.
Upon his move to Dortmund, boyhood club Birmingham took the unexpected step to retire Bellingham's No22 jersey at St Andrews.
Bellingham said: "Real Madrid is the greatest club in history and there aren't many players who get to play for such a magnificent and historic club.
"I'm very grateful to those who brought me here,.
"I don't think about money when I make these kinds of decisions. It's not important to me.
"It's the sport I love and I love the feeling at Real Madrid and how I feel about the club.
"For me Real Madrid is the greatest club and I wanted everything to happen quickly.
"It doesn't mean that the other teams are bad, but that Real Madrid is the greatest."
Real president Florentino Perez, who later presented Bellingham with his new shirt, welcomed the teenager to Madrid.
Perez said: "He decided to join Real Madrid, the most prestigious team in the world.
"That is why we welcome today - at Real Madrid - Jude Bellingham.
"The day has arrived, the day you always dreamt of, we would like to thank you because you gave everything you have to be here.
"Thank you for your ambition - this is the most loved club and from today you will get all the values that represent Real Madrid.
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"I'm sure you fell in love by watching how Real Madrid got five Champions Leagues in the last nine years, some unforgettable moments...Jude, Santiago Bernabeu is waiting for you.
"You will feel the history of this club, all the Madristas gather around this feeling that we will always help you out and do absolutely everything to win every single title."
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