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JUDE BELLINGHAM RECEIVES HERO'S WELCOME ON RETURN TO BIRMINGHAM CITY

 

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JULY 31: Jude Bellingham, England International and former Birmingham City player, acknowledges the fans as he takes his seat during the during the pre-season friendly match between Birmingham City and FC Barcelona at St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park on July 31, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) Getty Images

Jude Bellingham enjoyed an emotional homecoming on Friday as he returned to St Andrew’s Stadium to watch Birmingham City’s preseason friendly against Barcelona.

The Real Madrid midfielder, who began his professional career with Birmingham before making his move to Borussia Dortmund and eventually Los Blancos, was back at the club where his rise to stardom first began. His appearance in the stands did not go unnoticed, with supporters giving the England international a rousing ovation in recognition of everything he has accomplished since leaving his boyhood club.

Jude. He's home. 💙 pic.twitter.com/4pb6UvXa5x

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) July 31, 2026

Bellingham made his senior debut for Birmingham as a teenager and quickly established himself as one of the brightest young talents in English football. His rapid development earned him a move to Borussia Dortmund, where he became one of Europe's premier midfielders before joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2023.

"He's one of our own." 💙 What a reception for Jude Bellingham. Special moment at St. Andrew's. #BCFC #KRO pic.twitter.com/6mivDdB6rf

— Inti Official – Co‑Founded Blues 4 All (@Inti_Official) July 31, 2026

The warm reception highlighted the lasting affection between Bellingham and the Birmingham faithful, whose admiration for their former academy graduate remains as strong as ever.

- Managing Madrid

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NSUE TO CAPTAIN EQUATORIAL GUINEA AT CUP OF NATIONS FINALS

Reuters 

Veteran striker Emilio Nsue will captain an Equatorial Guinea squad with a strong Spanish flavour at the African Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast this month after being named part of the 27-man squad for the tournament.

The 34-year-old Nsue, formerly with Birmingham City and Middlesbrough, is one of 12 players based at Spanish clubs named in the squad selected by coach Juan Micha and released on Monday.

It features the bulk of the team that upset holders Algeria at the last finals and went onto a surprise quarter-final appearance at tournament in Cameroon, but also includes teenager defender Hugo Buyla who is yet to make a senior debut at Sampdoria and Charles Ondo, who plays for Huddersfield Town’s under-21 team.

Equatorial Guinea have been drawn with hosts Ivory Coast, Guinea Bissau and Nigeria in GroupA and start their campaign on Jan,. 14 against Nigeria in Abidjan.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Aitor Embela (CD Soneja), Manuel Sapunga (Polokwane City), Jesus Owono (Deportivo Alaves)

Defenders: Carlos Akapo (San Jose Earthquakes), Marvin Anieboh (CD Illescas), Hugo Buyla (Sampdoria), Saul Coco (Las Palmas), Jose Elo (Merida), Basilio Ndong (Universitatea Craiova), Charles Ondo (Huddersfield Town), Esteban Orozco (Arges), Nestor Senra (Real Aviles Industrial)

Midfielders: Luis Asue (Sporting Braga), Alex Balboa (Huesca), Federico Bikoro (Club Africain), Jannick Buyla (Logrones), Santiago Eneme (MFK Vyskov), Pablo Ganet (Alcoyano), Jose Machin (Monza), Josete Miranda (Niki Volou), Federico Nguema (CSF Balti), Iban Salvador (Miedz Legnica)

Forwards: Noe Ela (Numancia), Jose Nabil (Cano Sport), Emilio Nsue (Inter City), Salomon Obama (Santa Coloma), Oscar Siafa (Alessandria).

- Reuters 

BRITAIN'S FIRST MILLION POUND PLAYER FRANCIS DIES OF HEART ATTACK

Action Images 

Former England forward Trevor Francis, Britain's first one million pound ($1.28 million) player, has died at the age of 69 after suffering a heart attack, his family said on Monday.

Francis started his career at Birmingham City in 1970 before spells at several clubs, notably Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Sheffield Wednesday.

Francis hit the headlines when he was transferred from Birmingham to Forest in 1979 for one million pounds, scoring the winner in that year's European Cup final against Malmo.

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