Jude Bellingham: England and Real Madrid midfielder invests almost £1m in Hundred side Birmingham Phoenix

England and Real Madrid football player Jude Bellingham purchased 1.2 percent shares of the Birmingham Phoenix cricket team.

The Edgbaston-based outfit was one of eight Hundred franchises put up for sale last year, with American investment group Knighthead Capital Management, which owns Bellingham’s former club Birmingham City, buying a 49% stake for £40 million. Warwickshire retained its 51% stake.

Bellingham received 0.6% of the vote from both parties, meaning Warwickshire still had control at 50.4%.

The deal, worth around £1 million, is due to be confirmed on Wednesday.

Bellingham, 22, is a cricket fan and played junior cricket at Hagley Cricket Club in Worcestershire.

When asked in an interview last year which athlete he would replace with, he answered England Test captain Ben Stokes.

Legendary NFL quarterback Brady is also part of the Knighthead group.