Jobe Bellingham pens emotional Sunderland AFC exit message as Dortmund transfer nears | OneFootball

The midfielder is set to make a big money move, following in his brother's footsteps.

Jobe Bellingham has penned an emotional goodbye message to the Sunderland supporters as his move to Borussia Dortmund edges closer.

A move to Germany is signed and sealed, according to reports.

It'll hand the 19-year-old a brilliant opportunity to join a Champions League club that is notorious for developing young talents, as his family will know fully, and Sunderland will earn up to £32 million from the deal.

A small chunk of that fee - around £4 million - will be heading Birmingham City's way as a result of the 15 per cent sell-on clause that they included in the £3 million deal that saw Bellingham move to the Stadium of Light two summers ago.

Jobe Bellingham confirms imminent Sunderland exit with heartfelt goodbye message

Ahead of official confirmation of the midfielder's departure to Germany, Bellingham has put out a post on Instagram which confirms that he will leave the North East this summer.

He said: "Dear Sunderland, it’s time for me to say farewell to all the loyal people of Sunderland, who have powered me through two incredible years in red and white.

"Your support, on so many occasions, has completely blown me away, especially in the times of adversity which we pulled through together. You welcomed me with open arms as a kid leaving home for the first time, and I am proud that our relationship has grown to be so strong ever since.

"Your support for the team and I since I arrived at your beloved club was unwavering, and for that I am forever indebted to you as people and supporters.

"I will always represent Wearside in all that I strive to achieve for the rest of my career, wherever that may be. I hope that I have made you proud along the way, and in return you have made me the player that has reached the heights I find myself at today. So thank you.

"I will love and remember you fondly for the rest of my life, from the bottom of my heart. I tried to embody the passion you have for the city on the football pitch, and I’m so incredibly delighted that our journey came to an end with a victory at Wembley to restore the club in its rightful place.

"To the staff, players & most importantly the supporters, thank you so much & good luck for the future. Jobe, Adopted Mackem."

Jobe Bellingham's Sunderland exit is bittersweet

This news, although expected, will be tough for the Black Cats supporters to take.

He arrived as a boy and, as much as his age may not suggest it, he has developed greatly and turned into one of the leaders on the pitch for Regis Le Bris' side.

The other massive upside to Bellingham's move to Dortmund, other than the finances, is that it's another sign to top young talents that you can go onto great things if you join Sunderland.

It should only encourage those of a similar profile to the midfielder to move to the Stadium of Light, and with that money banked alongside the riches of a return to the Premier League, there is every reason to be optimistic as a Sunderland fan that even more exceptional young players will be making their way to Wearside in the near future.