Jude Bellingham invests in cricket club Birmingham Phoenix: 'I owe the city'

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FT Desk

Jude Bellingham has bought a 1.2% stake in cricket club Birmingham Phoenix, saying he owes a debt to the city.

The England star came through the ranks at Birmingham City before being sold to Borussia Dortmund in 2022. Thereafter, the Blues retired his number 22 shirt.

He has since gone on to become a global superstar, becoming one of the most expensive players in history following a €103 million transfer to Real Madrid, where he won the Champions League in 2024.

Clearly proud of his roots, Bellingham grew up in Stourbridge, just outside of Birmingham, and played for Hagley Cricket Club in Worcestershire as a youngster.

His new business venture into cricket has seen him buy a stake in Birmingham Phoenix for £1m.

"I love Birmingham," he said.

"I'm very grateful for what the whole city of Birmingham has done for me. I love cricket as well so when I got the opportunity to get involved, I didn't really think twice about it, so I'm so happy to be on board.

"I feel like I owe the city something. Right now it's difficult with how busy I am with football, but if there's a way in which I can help then I want to and this feels like a good way."

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In 2025, American investment group Knighthead Capital Management, who also owns Bellingham's former club Birmingham City, bought a 49% stake in Birmingham Phoenix for £40m.

Warwickshire still own a 51% stake and the Real Madrid midfielder has bought 0.6% of shares from both parties.

Bellingham added: "I want to let kids know [and] let adults know that there's opportunities to go and enjoy sports. I was fortunate growing up I had the option of playing cricket and playing football, but some kids don't have that opportunity.

"It's important that if I can get involved in something like this to shine a light on an opportunity for kids, then even better."

The player was once asked which professional athlete he would swap places with, if he could, and he replied with England's Ben Stokes.

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