JOBE BELLINGHAM is determined to step out from the shadow cast by his brother, Jude, and begin to carve out his own footballing story following his move to Sunderland.

Bellingham was confirmed as the Black Cats’ latest summer signing on Saturday morning as he completed a £3m move from Birmingham City.

The 17-year-old, who has signed a long-term deal at the Stadium of Light, will wear Sunderland’s number seven shirt next season, and will hope to build on last term’s breakout campaign at Birmingham that saw him make 22 senior appearances in the Championship.

He is not the only member of his family to have been on the move this summer, with his elder brother, Jude, having made global headlines as he made a high-profile switch from German side Borussia Dortmund to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Given that Jude is an established England international who moved to the Bernabeu for a reported fee of €103m, it is safe to say that Jobe still has some way to go to hit the heights that have been scaled by his sibling.

Nevertheless, as he prepares to begin pre-season training with his new team-mates on Wearside on Monday, the teenager is determined to start making headlines of his own.

“I’m really proud of Jude, he’s done really well,” said the younger of the two brothers. “My parents have been really busy, running around the place, all over Europe. I’m really pleased for Jude.

“He’s done really well, but that’s not really a big concern of mine anymore, how well he’s doing. I think that will speak for itself. I’m just focusing on my stuff, and letting my football speak for itself.

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“It feels really good to be here and I’m really excited to get started. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time now and I can’t wait.”

Bellingham made his senior Birmingham debut at the age of 16, and has already represented England at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18 level.

Having been born in the Midlands in Stourbridge, and having spent the whole of his footballing life so far in either Birmingham’s youth or senior set-ups, the youngster admits it was a wrench to leave his boyhood club.

Nevertheless, with Sunderland having made the play-offs last season, and with Black Cats head coach Tony Mowbray having established a fully-merited reputation for supporting, developing and championing young players, Bellingham is confident he has made the right switch to further his career.

“I’m so grateful for everything they’ve (Birmingham) done for me over many years, since I was really young,” he said, in an interview with Sunderland’s official media channels. “They’ve done a lot for me but I’m excited to get started here now. It’s a much bigger step in my career.

“At Birmingham, a lot of the academy coaches helped loads, just with my understanding of the game. I think they’ve made me a better person, I believe. There’s also a lot of players in the first team who helped me grow into the first-team environment.

“I’ve spent many years at Birmingham, and I think they did a lot for my development, up to a certain point. But I think it’s the right time to move, to get more minutes playing in the first-team environment in a team where the ball progresses through the lines.

“I’ll play with other creative-minded players, young players. I think it’s a really big step in my career, and I’m really excited.”

With the Black Cats having worked on a potential deal for Bellingham for a number of months now, the midfielder watched Sunderland’s progress towards the end of last season with special interest.

He was impressed with what he saw, and cannot wait to be part of a team that has earned a reputation for playing attractive, attacking football.

“I think the fans are really on board with the young players, and with the manager as well,” he said. “The style of play comes from the manager, and how he makes the players feel, from what I’ve heard and 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. I can learn from other players, and the manager, and definitely adapt my game. As a player, technically and tactically, I think I’m quite good, and I feel as tough I’m progressing physically every day and every week. Carrying the ball, I feel like I have good technique, and hopefully it can improve here around good players.”

Bellingham will spent part of his first week as a Sunderland player settling into his new surrounds and sorting out his living arrangements, but he cannot wait to be back out on the pitch as the Black Cats begin their preparations for the new campaign.

“I can’t wait,” he said. “I’m slightly nervous to meet the players, but I’m sure they’ll make me feel welcome. The fans have already made me feel welcome online, before I’d even stepped into the city. I can’t wait to get playing and get on the pitch – I’m sure I’ll be really excited as soon as I start playing with the players.”