Florentino Perez presents new Real Madrid signing Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid presented Jude Bellingham on Thursday. Florentino Pérez introduced their new signing on a busy day for the English player who, after passing his medical, signed his new contract with the president and posed with his new shirt, the mythical number 5 worn by Zidane and snatched from Vallejo, whose future is still up in the air. The presentation took place in Valdebebas, in the Ciudad Real Madrid, with the presence of the player's family, directors, ex-players like Solari, Raúl and Butragueño who wanted to welcome the brand new signing.

"One of the most important players in the world is coming to Real Madrid and he wanted to be here," said the president. "Madridismo should be proud that Jude Bellingham is a madridista," he stressed, adding: "Dear Jude, the moment you have dreamed of has arrived. Our thanks for doing everything impossible to get here, thank you for being a madridista and for continuing to build our history". The president predicted that at 19 years of age "you are already one of those players that everyone wants to see on a football pitch", and that you will continue to "write the history of Real Madrid". Florentino ended his welcome by saying: "This was your great dream and you are going to experience sensations only within the reach of the chosen ones. We will try to make you happy, these are challenges for which you are ready. Congratulations and welcome."

"Hello everyone, hello Madridistas," began the protagonist in Spanish, before turning to his native English. "I want to thank everyone who is here and those who are watching. I am coming to the best club in the world. I have to thank a lot of people, Borussia, Juni Calafat, José Ángel Sánchez.... Finally, Hala Madrid. He then posed with the president, his family, the directors and old glories of the team to conclude the event before his press conference.

Bellingham underwent a medical first thing in the morning at the Hospital La Moraleja, where he attracted the attention of the fans and where he signed his first autographs as a madridista. Afterwards, he moved to Ciudad Real Madrid where Florentino Pérez was waiting for him to sign a six-year contract until 2029, with an initial salary of 10 million euros net. After the legal formalities, the player posed with Florentino Pérez in his new shirt, and the club did not miss the opportunity to immortalise him in front of the Champions League trophies he had won.

Then came his presentation in a simple event, like those of Fran García and Brahim Díaz on Monday and Tuesday respectively. With a limited capacity, the player made his appearance for a presentation that began with a 12-minute video that retraced his career from a young age at Birmingham, the club where he grew up as a player until he reached the first team. Images showing his ability with the ball, dribbling and goals. From there he made the leap to Borussia where he left his mark, as evidenced by being named best player in the Bundesliga, where he has been for the last three years. The report ended with him defending the England shirt, where he is already an icon of his country.

Bellingham is set to be the natural successor to Luka Modric, who has left his name in the history books of Real Madrid already. With his signing, Los Blancos continue to strengthen and renew the squad with another young player, 19 years old, joining Camavinga, 20, Vinicius and Rodrygo, 22, Tchouameni, 23, Valverde, 24, and Endrick, 16, who will join the Madrid team next season.