‘Jude Bellingham, he’s one of us’: The England star received HERO’S WELCOME in Birmingham City

Jude Bellingham received a thunderous applause from Birmingham City fans ahead of Friday night’s 3-2 win over Reading in the Championship.

The crowd at St Andrew’s certainly gave the England superstar a heroic welcome as the 19-year-old took the pitch to thank the fans who have stayed loyal to him throughout his rise to the top of world football.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder, who started his football career with Midlands Club, returned to Britain earlier this week after being a pivotal figure in England’s valiant World Cup campaign.

Jude Bellingham (left) received a hero’s welcome home from Birmingham City fans on Friday

The England midfielder paid tribute to fans ahead of Birmingham’s 3-2 win over Reading

The Three Lions were eliminated from the competition in last Saturday’s heartbreaking quarter-final loss to France.

Bellingham was the focus of the tournament, impressing fans with his maturity and composure, appearing in all of their games and scoring his first international goal against Iran – and It is clear that the Birmingham faithful took pride in welcoming him back.

“Jude Bellingham, he’s one of us,” chanted fans as the teenager strolled across the pitch, arms raised in gratitude for those who saw him rise to become one of England’s most talented youngsters.

He was greeted with thunderous applause from the Birmingham faithful as he took the field

Bellingham (right) had an exceptional World Cup, scoring his first goal for England

Speaking of the future, while the midfielder arrived to thank the fans, he was also apparently there to watch his younger brother Jobe, who came off the bench to replace another young star, Hannibal Mejbri.

It’s safe to say that Bellingham picked a great game to watch, with Troy Deeney making the difference by scoring twice to give Birmingham the three points, despite the midland side making a late comeback the guests survived.

Questions are now looming over his future as the talented midfielder’s contract with Dortmund expires in 2025.

Bellingham was present to watch his brother Jobe (left) emerge from the bench

Tory Deeney was the catalyst for Birmingham, scoring twice to help them secure three points

Following his stellar performances at the World Cup, Bellingham will have done much to cement his reputation as one of the most exciting midfielders in the world.

Clubs across Europe are trying to tie him down, with Liverpool reportedly leading the way in acquiring the England midfielder.

But it was Birmingham where his career began as the 19-year-old rose through the ranks of the club’s academy to join the senior team in 2019.

They were so impressed with him that they even retired the No. 22 jersey in homage to their future superstar – and they definitely showed their admiration again tonight.