Jude Bellingham, Kevin Long and Ethan Laird react after Birmingham City confirm the departure

Real Madrid and England superstar Jude Bellingham is among those to pay tribute to Marc Roberts after his departure from Birmingham City was confirmed on Saturday night.

Roberts will leave the Blues at the end of his contract after a seven-year stay at the Second City. The 33-year-old has made 197 appearances for the Blues, scoring seven goals.

After the Blues confirmed that Roberts would be among five senior players to leave the club this summer, the defender posted an emotional farewell message on his Instagram account. Blues players past and present rallied to support Roberts, who was the club’s second longest-serving player behind Lukas Jutkiewicz – who has been offered a new deal to take his Blues career into – a ninth season.

When he was just 16, Bellingham played alongside Roberts for a season in the Blues’ first team and responded to Roberts’ farewell message with a simple message: “A man!”

READ: Marc Roberts sends emotional farewell message after Birmingham City exit

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Blues right-back Ethan Laird commented: “I’m going to miss you big brother.” While Alfie Chang, whose season was ended by a serious knee injury last August, added: “Well done legend.”

Former Blues defender Kevin Long said: “All the best, whatever comes next, Robbo.” Roberts and Long did not play together for the Blues last season but formed a solid partnership at the end of the 2022/23 campaign to help the club secure Championship status. Long was allowed to leave the Blues to join Toronto FC in February.