Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham earns maiden call-up to senior England squad

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham has been called up to the England senior squad for the first time.

Jude Bellingham had earlier been called up by the England U-21s, but he has now been promoted to the senior England set-up after Southampton midfielder James Ward Prowse dropped out of the squad through injury. The 17 year old will now be looking to earn his first senior cap for his country in the next two weeks.

The Three Lions face the Republic of Ireland in a friendly at Wembley stadium on Thursday, before taking on Belgium and Iceland in the final two match days of the UEFA Nations League group stage.

Bellingham has enjoyed a rapid rise since breaking through the ranks at hometown club Birmingham City last season. His performances in the second division of English football helped him attract the interest of a number of big clubs in Europe, including Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Manchester United.

Borussia Dortmund ultimately won the race for his signature, signing him for a fee of 25 million euros this summer. And the teenage midfielder has made quite an impression already with the Black and Yellows.

Bellingham has featured in eleven of Borussia Dortmund’s twelve games in all competitions so far this season. He has one goal and an assist each in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League.

If Bellingham makes his England debut during this international break, he will become the third youngest player to play for the nation after Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney.