Jude Bellingham has joined Spanish giants Real Madrid on a deal initially worth £88.5m.
The 19-year-old joined Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham in 2020, and quickly became one of the world’s most sought-after players.
Liverpool had been favourites to sign Bellingham but dropped out of the race in April due to the hefty transfer fee, with the midfielder also courting interest from Manchester City and Manchester United.
With Bellingham's next step now confirmed, GiveMeSport ranks the seven other British stars who have represented Real Madrid, and analyses how they fared.
7) Jonathan Woodgate
Jonathan’s Woodgate time at Real Madrid was nothing short of disastrous. The defender completed a shock transfer to Los Blancos in August 2004, despite being injured.
He didn’t make his debut until September 2005, and it’s fair to say it went catastrophically. Woodgate scored an own goal within 30 minutes, and was then sent-off in the 66th minute.
Things didn’t get much better. Woodgate appeared just 14 times for Real Madrid across two seasons, scoring once against Rosenborg in the Champions League.
6) Michael Owen
Michael Owen joined Jonathan Woodgate at Real Madrid in the summer of 2004. Signed in the Galactico’s era, the striker was competing for a place in the starting line up alongside Raul and Ronaldo Nazario. As a result, he often found himself on the bench.
Owen did make the most of his time on the pitch, finishing the 2004-2005 La Liga season with the highest ratio of goals scored against minutes played, but ultimately it never quite clicked for the 2001 Ballon d’Or winner. He soon departed for Newcastle.
5) Caroline Weir
Caroline Weir became the seventh British player to sign for Real Madrid last season, joining on a free transfer from Manchester City.
The 27-year-old spent four seasons at the Women’s Super League club, scoring 38 goals in 124 appearances. Two of which – both against Manchester United – were nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award.
Weir immediately came up against her old team in the first round of qualifying for the Women's Champions League, scoring the game's solitary goal to help Real Madrid progress into the group stage.
She has quickly become a key player for her new side, scoring 15 goals and setting up 10 more in Liga F this season. Real Madrid are on track to finish second in the league, behind only Barcelona.
4) David Beckham
Bearing in mind there have only been seven British players to play for Real Madrid in history, it is remarkable that David Beckham was one of three in the 2004-2005 season.
The legend joined Los Blancos in 2003, and over 155 appearances, he scored 20 goals and racked up 59 assists.
Beckham also earned two trophies during his time at Real Madrid – the Supercopa de España in 2003, and La Liga in 2007.
3) Steve McManaman
Now a co-commentator and pundit on ESPN and BT Sport, Steve McManaman was once part of the Real Madrid side which won the Champions League in 2000 and 2002.
During his four-year stint at the club, he also clinched two La Liga titles, a Supercopa de España, a European Supercup and an Intercontinental Cup.
McManaman was known for being a versatile player while at Real Madrid, playing on either wing or in the middle of the pitch.
2) Laurie Cunningham
Laurie Cunningham was the first British star to play for Real Madrid, making the move in 1979.
Renowned for being a skillful and pacy forward, he is still the only Real Madrid player to have received an ovation from the Camp Nou crowd, after giving an electric performance during a 2-0 victory in February 1980.
Cunningham, who sadly died in a car crash in 1989, won one La Liga title and two Spanish cups with Real Madrid.
1) Gareth Bale
Yes, Gareth Bale has a strained relationship with Real Madrid fans, but he is definitely the British player to have fared the best at the club.
After joining in 2013, the Welsh star enjoyed a brilliant first season, scoring 22 goals and setting up 19 in 44 games.
Spending nearly 10 years with the club, Bale earned four Champions League trophies, one Copa Del Rey, one La Liga title, two Spanish Super Cups, three European Super Cups, and four World Clup Championships. That’s some trophy cabinet.
