Jude Bellingham fires emotional statement after bombshell Real Madrid announcement

Ex-Birmingham City midfielder Jude Bellingham has paid tribute to Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric, as he prepares to leave the La Liga giants this summer.

Former Birmingham City superstar Jude Bellingham has issued an emotional message to departing Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric on social media.

Following his final La Liga match for Los Blancos against Real Sociedad on Saturday, the Croat will travel to the United States with his team ahead of their Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal on June 18.

The veteran playmaker – now aged 39 – has come to the end of his contract after signing a one-year extension last year. Modric, who moved to Real from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, has been part of six Champions League-winning squad and has clinched a total of 28 trophies at the Santiago Bernabeu.

And Bellingham has paid tribute to Modric on Thursday with a lengthy post on his Instagram account.

“The only thing outweighing my sadness right now is the gratitude I feel for having had the honour of being your teammate,” he said.