Jude Bellingham insists he could not refuse the chance to join Real Madrid this summer and admits their win against Liverpool in last year’s Champions League final was a ‘big factor’ behind his decision to move to the Spanish club.

The 19-year-old has now completed his move to Madrid with the Spanish side agreeing a €133.9 million (£114.5m) deal with Borussia Dortmund.

Madrid fended off strong competition from Manchester City and Liverpool, who had both pushed hard to sign the England international this summer.

But Bellingham is adamant that Madrid was his preferred destination once they registered their interest.

“For a start, money is not a thing for me,” Bellingham said at his unveiling in Madrid on Thursday.

“I don’t think about money at all when I make these kind of decisions, I never have and I never will, I play the game purely out of love.” he added.

Bellingham also revealed that a secret meeting with Madrid’s recruitment team was the moment he knew he was heading for La Liga.

“I think the exact moment is hard to say, I had the meeting where they came to my house and I was sold, to be honest, but I can’t remember when that was,” Bellingham said.

“That was the moment when, for me, it was definite.

“Like I said, you’re always in admiration of the club. Watching them win the Champions League, I was at the final when they beat Liverpool, that was another huge factor, but there are a load of things really that go into making the decision to join this club.”