A scout report from an unnamed Premier League club described a 16-year-old Jude Bellingham as "awe-inspiring" with "huge potential" after a game in 2019.
On the evening of August 6, 2019, Birmingham manager Pep Clotet decided to hand Bellingham his senior debut in their Carabao Cup first round clash against Portsmouth.
As a result, the teenager became the club's youngest ever player at 16 years and 38 days, breaking the record set by Trevor Francis in 1970.
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A total of 9,913 fans were present at Fratton Park to witness his first senior game, including a Premier League scout who has since published his report.
Birmingham were beaten convincingly following goals from Ellis Harrison [2] and Ben Close but, as you can see from the dossier below, Man of the Match winner Bellingham made a real impression.
It reads: "Only 16 but awe inspiring. He looks 6ft 1in, very athletic, long legs and enormous feet. He is still developing physically but has a frame to become a huge presence and graceful runner. He moves naturally.
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"Long strides, opens his legs with strength. Has a fantastic mentality, intelligent in terms of finding space to receive possession. He gets between the lines and pulls wide.
"Made plenty of runs away from the ball to stretch, rarely gave the ball away. When he did, he quickly sprinted back.
"Never panicked on the ball, took it away from pressure and used his body.
"Threw himself into a few challenges and got a yellow card in the second half for a heavy tackle. Huge potential, only 16 and already able to go toe to toe with Portsmouth’s first team.
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"Sign him, develop him, send on loan. In 18 months he will play in our first team."
The 20-year-old midfielder, who has since gone on to play for Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, was a "fantastic young man" growing up, according to Vanessa Payne, his former primary school teacher.
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"Even then he had the aspiration to take his skill somewhere," Payne told BBC. "He's left a legacy here of sportsmanship and ambition and trying to be the best you can be."
She added: "He was kind, he was thoughtful and he was a good sport –– and he was just somebody people wanted to be around."
Topics: Jude Bellingham, Birmingham City, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Premier League, Portsmouth
Jack Kenmare