Sunderland new boy Jobe Bellingham admits he can't wait to get starting at the Stadium of Light after sealing a move from Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee. The 17-year-old has signed a long-term deal on Wearside with Kristjaan Speakman and co finally getting their man.
The Black Cats have long courted the services of the England youth international, who is tipped to become the next big talent. Speakman has a good relationship with the Bellingham family, while Sunderland coaches Mike Dodds and Stuart English also worked alongside the brothers as they came through the Blues academy set-up.
Bellingham told safc.com: "I'm so grateful for everything they've done for me over many years since I was really young. They've done a lot for me but I'm excited to get started here now and it's a much bigger step in my career.
"Most of the people I'd like to thank are are here now, but yeah at Birmingham there's a lot of people, a lot of the academy coaches they helped loads with my understanding of the game and making me a better person I believe.
READ MORE: Sunderland sign Jobe Bellingham from Birmingham on long-term deal
"A lot of players in the first-team helped me grow into the first-team environment. I've spent many years at Birmingham and I think it did a lot for my development up to a certain point and I think it's the right time to move and get more minutes in a first team environment in a team where the ball progresses through the lines.
"Play with other creative minded players, young players. I think it's a really big step in my career and I'm excited."
Older brother Jude is now deemed one of the best midfielders in world football and sealed a big money move to Real Madrid earlier this month. Jobe was in attendance to watch his brother make history, before Jude returned the favour ahead of his younger brother sealing a move to the Stadium of Light.
"I'm really proud of Jude obviously he's done really well and my parents have been busy as well running around the place, across Europe," Jobe said. "I'm really pleased for him, he's done really well but it's not really a concern of mine how well he's doing.
"It'll speak for itself his stuff and I'm just focused on my stuff and letting my football speak for itself."
Aside from the familiarity of Speakman et al, Tony Mowbray's style of play acted as a major pull in luring Bellingham to Wearside this summer. The new arrival said: "I think the fans are really on board with the young players and the manager as well.
"I think the style of play comes from the manager and how he makes the players feel, from what I've heard and what I've seen, I think the fans are totally on board with the young players, letting them make mistakes and try again.
"Which is something I'm really looking forward to being a part of. I think I'm able to learn and be coached first of all, I can learn from other players and the manager and adapt my game - definitely.
"But also, me as a player, technically and tactically I think I'm quite good and progressing every day, every week, physically as well. Carrying the ball I feel like I have good technique and hopefully it can improve here around good players."
