Jobe Bellingham’s career arc is uncannily similar to that of his older brother, Jude. Both began their journeys at Birmingham City’s academy, rose to prominence in the Championship, and now share a common destination: Borussia Dortmund. After a breakthrough campaign with Sunderland in the 2024–25 season that culminated in promotion to the Premier League, Jobe Bellingham has agreed a transfer worth up to £31 million to join the eight-time Bundesliga champions. It marks a record sale for Sunderland and makes Jobe the second-most expensive signing in Dortmund’s history—behind only Ousmane Dembélé.
Jobe Bellingham, just 19, steps into a club where the Bellingham name already resonates with success. Jude’s arrival at Dortmund in 2020 for an initial £25 million laid the groundwork for one of Europe’s finest midfield talents. Over three years, Jude made 132 appearances, lifted the DFB-Pokal in 2021, and was named Bundesliga Player of the Season before sealing a blockbuster move to Real Madrid. While the comparisons are inevitable, Jobe’s ambitions go beyond emulating his brother.
Finding His Own Voice: ‘I’m Jobe Bellingham, Not Jude Bellingham’
Though the path may be familiar, Jobe Bellingham is determined to forge a separate identity. Unlike Jude, who wears his surname proudly on his jersey, Jobe opts for his first name—a subtle but strong statement of individuality. “He doesn’t want to live off the back of his brother’s name,” said former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray. “He wants to show people what he can do.”
While Jude thrives in an advanced playmaking role for club and country, Jobe is more versatile. Often deployed as a box-to-box or defensive midfielder, he even filled in as a striker during his early Sunderland days. “I enjoy playing box-to-box because you can get stuck in and drive forward,” Jobe said in a Sky Sports interview. In the 2024–25 season, he recorded four goals and three assists in 43 appearances—figures that reflect not just his adaptability, but also his influence on the pitch.
Sunderland’s head coach Regis Le Bris described him as a dynamic number eight, praising his ability to press, connect defence to attack, and express physicality. Jobe’s imminent move to the Bundesliga, according to pundits like Marco Gabbiadini, provides the perfect platform to further his development—offering elite competition, less pressure, and new financial incentives.
Sibling Dreams: Jude Hopes for an England Reunion
The Bellingham brothers grew up in Stourbridge, West Midlands, where football shaped their early lives. Both passed through Birmingham City’s academy system and have since represented England at youth levels. While Jude debuted for the senior team at just 17 and has earned over 40 caps, Jobe continues to rise through the ranks and is currently part of the England squad for the European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia.
Jude, now a Champions League and La Liga winner with Real Madrid, has not hidden his dream of playing alongside Jobe for the Three Lions. “That would be the biggest dream of my life,” he said on his YouTube channel. “To play with my brother for England and win together—nothing would come close to that.”
He also acknowledged the pressure his younger brother faces. “He has to deal with more than I had to at his age, and he handles it with class,” Jude said. “We’re each other’s biggest fans and biggest critics.” Jude insists that above all else, Jobe’s happiness is his greatest concern, reinforcing the tight bond they share.
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Jobe Bellingham Follows Jude’s Path to Dortmund but Carves Out His Own Identity
If Jobe Bellingham’s move to Dortmund is finalized by 10 June, he might find himself competing in the revamped Club World Cup this summer in the United States—rather than playing in the European Under-21 Championship. The 32-team tournament runs from 14 June to 13 July, and Dortmund have been drawn into Group F alongside Brazil’s Fluminense, South Korea’s Ulsan HD, and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.
Interestingly, Real Madrid—Jude’s team—are also in the competition, placed in Group H with Al-Hilal, Pachuca, and Red Bull Salzburg. If both clubs top their groups and win their last-16 matches, a quarter-final clash between Dortmund and Real Madrid would take place on 5 July. That match could pit Jobe Bellingham against Jude in a high-stakes contest—brother versus brother on the world stage.
Such a fixture would be symbolic: a real-time comparison between two prodigious talents who share blood but walk their own footballing paths. For Jobe Bellingham, it could be the perfect opportunity to step out of his brother’s shadow and command the spotlight on his own terms.
A Legacy in Progress
Jobe Bellingham’s career is still in its early chapters, but it’s already clear that he is more than just Jude’s younger brother. With a record-breaking move to Dortmund, consistent performances at club level, and national team prospects ahead, he is well on his way to establishing his own footballing legacy.
The comparisons to Jude will likely persist, but Jobe Bellingham isn’t shying away from them—he’s simply redefining the narrative. As he steps onto the pitch in Germany, in front of the famed Yellow Wall, he carries not just the weight of expectation but the resolve to make a name for himself—one touch, one tackle, one goal at a time.
