England superstar Jude Bellingham and his brother Jobe have sensationally joined Championship club Burnley on a 10-year contract – but not all is as it seems.
Jude, 21, is one of the best footballers in the world having fired Real Madrid to La Liga and Champions League glory last season before reaching the final of Euro 2024 with the Three Lions.
Jobe, 19, has been starring for Sunderland in the Championship and has been tipped for a bright future, with several Premier League clubs and European heavyweights interested in signing him.
But in a remarkable transfer twist, the Bellingham brothers are set to join forces at Turf Moor for the next decade, having been announced as Burnley players on Christmas Day.
Of course, this isn’t actually the case, but rather the result of a dream encounter between the players and young Clarets fan Alfie.
Jude and Jobe met Alfie and his family whilst they were staying at the Crow Wood Hotel & Spa in Burnley, when he presented them with a makeshift contract which the brothers happily signed.
The boy’s father shared the story on Twitter, posting: ‘My Lad Alfie has just signed Jobe & Jude Bellingham up for Burnley on a 10 year contract.
‘Real Madrid and Sunderland sorry lads!!’
The contract read: ‘We, Jobe and Jude, agree to sign for Burnley F.C. for 10 years.’
Football fans on social media praised the players for their class act and Alfie for his transfer acumen, though some jokingly suggested the young supporter is now under investigation for ‘tapping up’.
The story even caught the attention of Burnley chairman Alan Pace, who replied to the Twitter post: ‘Welcome to the recruitment team Alfie.’
Given his superstar status, some were surprised to see Jude in the Lancashire area in the first place but the reasoning was pretty obvious as the midfielder had come to see Jobe play for Sunderland in their Boxing Day clash at Blackburn Rovers.
Unlike in England, La Liga have a winter break over Christmas, with Real Madrid’s next game on January 3, which allowed Jude to spend the holidays with his family.
He appeared to enjoy himself in the stands as he watched the Black Cats draw 2-2 at Ewood Park, a result that leaves Jobe’s side fourth in the table as they look to win promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.
Meanwhile, Jude’s Real are second in La Liga, a point behind local rivals Atletico Madrid.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: The reason Ronaldinho is celebrating Christmas in a Burnley shirt revealed
MORE: England legend David Beckham names the best five players he ever played with
MORE: From cool Simone Biles to rigid Pep Guardiola – 2024’s alternative sports awards
