Birmingham City have decided to retire the number 22 shirt of outgoing teenager Jude Bellingham.
Birmingham City have decided to retire the number 22 shirt of outgoing teenager Jude Bellingham.
Bellingham's final appearance for his boyhood club ended in a 3-1 defeat to Derby, and came just days after he finalised a move to Borussia Dortmund in a deal which sees him become the most expensive 17-year-old in football history.
He joined Dortmund for 25m pounds on a long term deal.
In August 2019 became Birmingham's youngest ever player, aged 16 years and 38 days, and has always had the number 22 on the back of his shirt.
The club says it is "fitting" to retire the number in recognition of Bellingham's qualities, in the hope the gesture can inspire the next generation of talent at St Andrew's.
"In such a remarkably short space of time Jude has become an iconic figure at Blues, showing what can be achieved through talent, hard work and dedication," Birmingham City said.
"His caring, humble and engaging off-the-field demeanour has also made him such an impressive role model.
"The 22 shirt has become synonymous with Jude, his rise to the first team aged just 16 years and 38 days and these qualities.
"And as such the club have decided it would be fitting to retire this number, to remember one of our own and to inspire others."
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