Jude Bellingham says he ‘owes the city’ after buying Birmingham Phoenix stake

• Real Madrid star buys 1.2% of Hundred franchise

• ‘I love cricket so I’m so happy to be on board’

Jude Bellingham has explained his decision to buy a minority stake in The Hundred franchise Birmingham Phoenix, saying: “I feel like I owe the city something”.

The England and Real Madrid star has taken a 1.2% holding in the Edgbaston-based Hundred franchise, revealing himself as the unnamed investor who had been mentioned in the annual accounts of the parent club, Warwickshire.