Jamie Bynoe-Gittens' journey to flourish at Borussia Dortmund with Jude Bellingham's help

Rob Fleming
18 September 2023

Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, the 19-year-old English talent at Borussia Dortmund, has found his footing in the bustling German city.

This all thanks to some unconventional aids - FIFA battles with Jude Bellingham and intensive German lessons.

In the shadow of his more renowned English peers, Bynoe-Gittens, who arrived from Manchester City in 2020, has quietly honed his skills and adapted to life at Dortmund. His relentless dedication to learning the German language, with two hours of lessons daily, has transformed him into an almost fluent speaker.

Bynoe-Gittens recalls the initial struggles of adapting to a foreign land, saying, "Not everybody spoke English when I arrived. That was very hard for me because, at the time, I only spoke English. I had to learn German quickly."

Living in Dortmund, he discovered that the nuances of the language went beyond simple vocabulary. "German is difficult – it's really hard to learn and it takes time. But when you live here, you pick it up," he reflects.

The journey hasn't just been linguistic; it's been personal growth for Bynoe-Gittens. Initially reserved, he had to break out of his shell, embracing the necessity to communicate in a foreign tongue.

Bynoe-Gittens made his senior team breakthrough in 2021, following a challenging period marked by injury and COVID-19 restrictions. His success story mirrors that of his compatriots, Bellingham and Jadon Sancho, who have gone on to mega-money transfers.

Now, Bynoe-Gittens stands as the sole English player left at Dortmund, following Bellingham's move to Real Madrid. He cherishes the camaraderie he shared with Bellingham and Sancho, even recounting the times they ventured out in Dortmund, played FIFA, and regarded him as their "little brother."

Reflecting on Dortmund's near-miss in the Bundesliga last season, Bynoe-Gittens expressed his deep disappointment, having been sidelined by injury. "We had worked so hard to get there," he said. "We had no emotion, just numb."

Determined to make amends, Bynoe-Gittens sets his sights on Dortmund's ambitions, emphasizing their pursuit of the Bundesliga title, the DFB Cup, and a successful run in the Champions League.

As Dortmund gears up for their Champions League campaign, Bynoe-Gittens, who grew up dreaming of playing in the competition, is eager to showcase his progress. With unwavering determination, he's ready to make his mark in the sport he loves and remind everyone of his capabilities on the grand stage.