Jude Bellingham has revealed a conversation with Jadon Sancho played a part in his decision to choose a transfer to Borussia Dortmund.
Manchester United were interested in the former Birmingham City teenager, but Bellingham opted for the Bundesliga giants after the promise of more first team football.
Bellingham now follows Sancho, the former Manchester City youth product who is now a United transfer target, in moving to Dortmund as a teen. And he admitted that the Black and Yellows' record of developing youngsters was a huge factor in his move.
"The record Dortmund have got with young players in recent years is unrivalled in European football," said Bellingham.
"Weighing all that up and the people we met there, the stadium and fanbase, it made me fall in love with that club as well. I've met Sancho and we have spoken. He is a great example of what you can achieve if you do the right things.
"I chose Dortmund because it is the perfect step for my development."
Bellingham also expressed his irritation at the near constant transfer speculation, which he admitted was distracting while he was playing for Birmingham. United and Chelsea were both interested, but Bellingham admits he's happy to finally be a Dortmund player.
"I am just glad that saga is over," he said. "It was a lot of annoyance to me and there was a lot of noise at the time when all I wanted to do was play for Birmingham.
"Now I haven't got the chance to do that anymore, but I would like to think I made the most of it. It is sad this is how I leave Birmingham, but I am really optimistic about the future."
