Who is Sunderland target Jobe Bellingham?

Birmingham City starlet Jobe Bellingham is being heavily linked with a summer move to Sunderland.

Bellingham's name first emerged on Sunderland's radar earlier this year. There's been a bit of back and forth but after Bellingham was allegedly spotted at the Stadium of Light earlier this month for Sunderland's play-off clash v Luton Town, it suggested that Bellingham to Sunderland was happening.

Since then, reports have revealed that the Black Cats are confident of signing the 17-year-old this summer. He made his Championship debut for Birmingham City last season and went on to play 22 times in the 2022/23 Championship campaign.

Bellingham is of course the younger brother of England and Borussia Dortmund star Jude.

What type of player is Jobe Bellingham?

Bellingham is a versatile attacking midfielder. His predominant position is in behind the striker, or a little deeper, and he's also played on either flank for Birmingham City in games this season.

Bellingham boasts the key attributes of an attacking midfielder player - he's good at running with the ball and he's also got an eye for a pass, despite failing to register a single goal contribution for Blues this season which is largely due to him coming off the bench very late in games.

He stands at 5ft 10ins which is slightly shorter than his older brother, so he's not the physical presence that Jude is. But Jobe has shown a lot of grit to adapt to the Championship at such a young age with Birmingham City and in a few years time, he should mature into a really dominant player.

International career...

As well as making 26 senior appearances for Birmingham City at the age of just 17, Bellingham has also represented England at youth level.

He made his England U16 debut in 2021 and has since represented the England U17 on eight occasions and the England U18 on six occasions - with the U18s, Bellingham has scored twice and has even captained the side too.

Why are Sunderland signing him?

Bellingham has a lot of potential. He has a big name to live up to but Sunderland won't rush his development. The Black Cats are becoming quite infamous for their ability to snap up these exciting younger players and to develop them - rather quickly - into key first-team players.

The likes of Pierre Ekwah and Aji Alese has barely played first-team football before this season, but Tony Mowbray has uncovered gems in both of them.

So it's easy to see why Sunderland are signing Bellingham. Expect the club to take their time with his development, but for Bellingham this looks like a very positive career move.

What type of player is Jobe Bellingham?

International career...

Why are Sunderland signing him?

Read more Sunderland news