Recognition also followed when he collected the Championship Young Player of the Season award at the EFL Awards, a moment he was overjoyed with at the time.

"It feels amazing; it's a testament to everyone at Sunderland. The past two years, not just this year, and I'm really pleased and really grateful," Jobe said.

"We started the season really well as a team, and I got off to a good start too. I think I came back more powerful and really mature in my game. Playing a slightly different role in a much better system.

"We've stayed steady and kicked on at times and earned this position. There are so many different types of challenges as part of your development, and sometimes you fail, but you've got so much time to fix things and learn from your errors.

"I couldn't be more grateful to the EFL, not just for me but for my brother as well."

By this point, Bellingham's reputation had extended far beyond the Championship.

Having represented England throughout the youth age groups, he was now firmly considered one of the country's biggest young prospects.

His form naturally attracted suitors from higher up.

While the prospect of Premier League football with Sunderland would have been an appealing one, Bellingham instead chose a different route, following a familiar family path by joining Borussia Dortmund.

A successful debut season in Germany didn't go unnoticed back home, and now the midfielder has been rewarded with a place in the senior England squad for the first time.

He becomes the latest EFL graduate to earn a maiden England call-up, underlining the League's long track record of developing players capable of reaching the very highest level.

And for Jobe, this is simply the latest chapter in a story that seems like it's only just getting started.

The EFL journey that led Jobe Bellingham to the England senior team

The EFL journey that led Jobe Bellingham to the England senior team