JOBE Bellingham described Sunderland as the "perfect club" after completing his much-anticipated move from Birmingham City.

The teenage midfielder's Sunderland switch was confirmed on the same day his older brother Jude's move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid was made official.

Sunderland made their move for Bellingham at the end of last season and the 17-year-old was in attendance for the play-off semi-final first leg against Luton Town at the Stadium of Light.

Bellingham said: “I’m delighted to sign for Sunderland AFC and I can’t wait to get started.

"The opportunity for young players to move here and progress is clear, so I believe this is the perfect club for me to continue my development. I’m grateful to everyone at Birmingham City for their support over the past 11 years and I wish them the best for the future, as I begin the next chapter of my career at the Stadium of Light.”

Bellingham will arrive at Sunderland on the back of an impressive season with Birmingham in which he made 22 Championship appearances. He made his debut for the Blues in January last year when he was just 16.

Bellingham is currently on international duty with England's Under-18s.

Sunderland coach Mike Dodds knows Bellingham and his older brother well having worked at Birmingham before joining the Black Cats.

That strengthened Sunderland's hand, with Bellingham and the midfielder's representatives also extremely impressed by the Wearsiders' faith in youth and record in developing young players.

READ MORE:

Birmingham boss John Eustace has hailed the potential of Bellingham.

Last season he said: "There is a lot of pressure on Jobe, because he is who he is. We have to protect him. I have to protect him.

"We are talking about very young players. It is my job to develop them in the right way. Jobe has done really well this season.

"In the last few games you can see how he is growing and developing, and there is still a lot more to take away.

"He'll be a superb player going forward."