Jude Bellingham showed his class after England thumped Ukraine 4-0 in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 on Saturday night.
Due to covid travel restrictions, there were only a small gathering of lucky England fans at the game in Rome, although they certainly made themselves heard.
And Borussia Dortmund starlet Bellingham, a late substitute in the win, made a beeline for a group of supporters from his former club Birmingham once the final whistle had gone.
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He threw them his No.26 shirt and gave them a thumbs up as they chanted his name before making his way towards the tunnel as attention turns to the semi-final with Denmark at Wembley.
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Stourbridge-born Bellingham joined Birmingham as a seven-year-old. He progressed through the ranks to make his first-team debut in August 2019 at the tender age of 16 years and 38 days - a club record.
After 44 appearances for Blues, he joined Dortmund in the summer of 2020 for an initial fee of £25m.
Birmingham even retired their No.22 shirt as a tribute to their academy graduate.
"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 said.
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"His caring, humble and engaging off-the-field demeanour has also made him such an impressive role model.
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"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."
The midfielder, who celebrated his 18th birthday on Tuesday as England saw off Germany in the last 16, was handed a 25-minute run-out by Gareth Southgate at the Stadio Olimpico.
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Bellingham has made three appearances at these finals so far.
The first of those, the opening game win over Croatia, saw him become the youngest player to ever feature at a European Championships at 17 years and 349 days.
England thrashed Ukraine to set up a semi-final with Denmark at Wembley on Wednesday thanks to goals from Harry Kane (2), Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Jude Bellingham, England
