Dortmund has agreed to pay a fixed fee of approximately €33 million, with up to €5 million in performance-related bonuses for Bellingham. Sunderland has secured a 15 per cent sell-on clause for any future sale, which could make the deal one of the largest outgoing transfers in the club's history, surpassing the £30 million sale of Jordan Pickford to Everton in 2017.

If the deal reaches its full potential, it would also be Dortmund's most expensive signing, surpassing their 2016 acquisition of Ousmane Dembele. Bellingham joined Sunderland in 2023 for an initial £1.5 million from Birmingham City and quickly became a key player in the team, registering 11 goals and four assists across 90 appearances and playing a vital role in securing promotion via the playoffs.

His impressive performance in the Championship earned him a place in the league's Team of the Season and the Young Player of the Year award for the 2024/25 season. Bellingham follows in the footsteps of his older brother Jude, who made his breakthrough at Dortmund before earning a £115 million move to Real Madrid.

Like Jude's journey, this move offers Jobe a stage renowned for nurturing young talent. Despite reported interest from other clubs, Bellingham opted for Dortmund, pledging his allegiance to a club whose environment echoes the family's preferences. Dortmund aims to have Bellingham registered in time to feature in their FIFA Club World Cup squad, which kicks off in mid-June.