Stourbridge residents call local boy Jude a 'legend' as tourists flock to World Cup star's hometown

England will take on Argentina tonight in a highly anticipated World Cup semi-final.

Stourbridge boy Jude Bellingham has been invaluable for England during the tournament already, scoring six goals so far.

He will be looking to secure England’s place in the final tonight (July 15).

But Stourbridge residents are already bursting with pride for the local boy who has become a star of the World Cup and Champions League.

One resident told the Express & Star: “He's a legend, isn't he? An incredible player. One of the best players our country has produced in quite a long time.”

Another man said of Jude: “He's a man of the year and the man of the tournament at the moment.”

Jude Bellingham's standout performance in this year’s tournament hasn't just helped fire England into the semi-finals – it's also scored a winning goal for Stourbridge tourism.

New Booking.com search data reveals that following England's dramatic round-of-16 victory over Mexico, interest in visiting Stourbridge has soared. The West Midlands town, where Bellingham grew up, saw searches for stays increase by 68 per cent among UK travellers and 120 per cent among international travellers in the week following the match.

And with their latest win against Norway, the figures show Stourbridge is proving a match for football fans, with growing numbers looking to visit the hometown of England’s midfield star.

Ryan Pearson, regional manager at Booking.com, said: “Major sporting moments have the power to put both players and their hometowns on the map, often sparking interest in lesser-known destinations.

“Whether it's a football fan wanting to go back to where it all started for their favourite player, or simply to discover somewhere new, it’s great to see Stourbridge and its hospitality in the spotlight.”