Jude Bellingham has taken Zinedine Zidane’s iconic old Real Madrid shirt number upon being unveiled as the Spanish giants’ latest superstar.
England international Bellingham, who is still just 19, has signed a six-year deal in the Spanish capital and joins after three seasons in Germany with Borussia Dortmund.
The teenager had been chased by several Premier League clubs, but chose to move to Spain after finishing second in the Bundesliga during what proved to be his final season in Germany.
Ahead of his unveiling on Thursday, Bellingham chose the No.5 shirt previously worn by French legend Zidane, who memorably scored wearing the shirt when Real won the Champions League in 2002, and then managed the club to three successive European crowns between 2016 and 2018.
Bellingham, who has 24 caps for England, said upon his unveiling: “Hello Madridistas, I wanted to thank everyone who is here on the most important day of my life, on the first day at the biggest club in the world.
“I want to thank Juni Calafat, José Ángel, to the president… to everyone for bringing me here. And thanks to my family. Finally, Hala Madrid.”
