Bournemouth

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Last season, Chelsea sent Djordje Petrovic on loan to Strasbourg, where he was voted the club's player of the year.

But, rather than welcoming the goalkeeper back into the squad as competition for Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen, the Blues have instead sold the Serb to Bournemouth for £25m, banking an £11m profit on what they paid for him in 2023.

One of the reasons Chelsea loaned Petrovic to their partner club was to help him improve his ability on the ball, BBC Sport football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella reported in March.

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Though Petrovic's passing stats did not notably improve during his year in France, his distribution over the past 12 months was still more accurate than Sanchez, who posted lower figures for pass accuracy and long pass accuracy. Cup keeper Jorgensen, meanwhile, finished with a better record than both.

Where Petrovic stood out with Strasbourg was in his shot-stopping. He prevented almost 10 goals more than an average goalkeeper would save, based on the expected goals on target model. That total was the sixth highest in the top five European leagues last term.

Sanchez, however, excelled as Chelsea lifted the Club World Cup, where he won the Golden Glove given to the tournament's best goalkeeper.

The Spaniard made several key saves in the final against Paris St-Germain, also impressing with some pin-point passes to set up attacks. Despite occasional shaky moments in 2025-26, he seems likely to remain number one for the new season.

West Ham are stepping up their move for Bournemouth midfielder Marcus Tavernier. (Football Insider), external

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Slobodan Maricic
BBC Serbia journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The baggage of Serbia goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has been checked in for several different destinations all over Europe in the past couple of months, according to the transfer gossip.

He was linked with Galatasaray, Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco, as well as several Premier League clubs like Leeds, Southampton and Aston Villa.

But, after a standout season at the French side Strasbourg, where he was on loan from Chelsea, he has landed in Bournemouth.

The strong interest in the 25-year-old from the city of Pozarevac, in central Serbia, comes as no surprise to football fans back home - Petrovic is living the best of his days.

Last season, he helped Strasbourg finish seventh and was rewarded with a place in the Serbia squad, and he now has seven caps.

Saving a penalty in the World Cup qualifier against Albania – a match charged with a lot of tension, because of politics and history – even earned him national hero status.

The German media compared him with Manuel Neuer, one of the best goalkeepers of the century, due to their similar height, footwork and pass accuracy.

His former coaches commend Petrovic's physical attributes, noting his strength in the air and willingness to come off the line, particularly noting his effectiveness in one-on-one situations and at stopping penalties.

Up until his move to Chelsea in 2023 from Major League Soccer side New England Revolution, he was a relatively unknown name in Serbia.

He came up through Cukaricki, a club from the capital Belgrade, that has a notably smaller fanbase than the two Belgrade giants, Red Star or Partizan.

His move to the United States did not do much for his visibility, but he did win a place in the MLS All-Star squad before his £12.5m switch to the Premier League made him the most expensive Serbian keeper in history.

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Image source, Getty Images

New Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic says he wants to "play at the best level" after completing a £25m move to the club.

The 25-year-old joins from Chelsea on a five-year-deal and will link up with the squad before their pre-season tour in the United States.

Petrovic has made 23 Premier League appearances but felt out of favour at the Blues and spent last season on loan at Strasbourg.

The Serbia international had an impressive campaign with the Ligue 1 side, helping them to finish seventh and secure their place in the Uefa Conference League while also being named as the club's player of the season.

"I'm really happy to be here. I came to Bournemouth because I want to grow and I want to play at the best level," he told club media.

"Together with this club, with these facilities, I think we can achieve it. I want to help the team get the results, improve every day and be a better player."

Bournemouth's president of football operations Tiago Pinto added: "The opportunity to sign a player of his calibre in the market was one we had to take, particularly given how vital the position of a goalkeeper is.

"We have been looking for the right talent to invest in within this area of the pitch and Djordje has very impressive qualities, as well as a lot of experience for someone who is still young."

Petrovic replaces Kepa Arrizabalaga, who spent last season with the Cherries on loan from Chelsea, but switched to Arsenal at the start of July when his £5m release clause was triggered.

Image source, AFC Bournemouth

Bournemouth have released computer-generated images to illustrate how they plan to expand Vitality Stadium.

The new images show how the proposed redevelopments to increase the stadium's capacity to 20,000 will fit in with the existing ground and its surroundings.

The plans include demolishing the current South Stand and building a new grandstand with 7,000 seats, infilling the stadium corners to create an additional 1,440 seats, plus extending the North and East Stands to bring in another 2,900 seats.

Bournemouth also plan to create a new fan zone in the south west corner of the ground, between the new South Stand and the current Main Stand.

The Cherries hope to have the stadium redevelopment completed for the start of the 2027-28 campaign.

Councillor Rich Herrett, cabinet member for destination, leisure and commercial operations said: "The Council recognises how valuable AFC Bournemouth is to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, with its continued success on the pitch, and their support for our local communities.

"We have a positive relationship with the football club and have enjoyed like many, their recent successes on the pitch. We look forward to working with them on their plans to invest in the area and improve the matchday experience for fans at Vitality Stadium, via the appropriate planning and democratic processes."

Image source, AFC Bournemouth

Image source, AFC Bournemouth

Elsewhere, Andoni Iraola's side started their pre-season preparations on Tuesday afternoon with a 2-1 win over Hibernian in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the club's training centre.

The Cherries have another behind-closed-doors friendly against Championship side Bristol City on Saturday, 19 July.

Bournemouth are holding out for £59m for 22-year-old centre-back Illia Zabarnyi, who is wanted by Paris St-Germain. (Independent), external

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Mark Travers has completed a permanent move away from Bournemouth after joining Everton.

The 26-year-old spent nine years with the Cherries after joining the academy from Irish side Shamrock Rovers in 2016.

He made 82 appearances for the club, producing a player-of-the-match performance on his Premier League debut against Tottenham in 2019 as a teenager, and also played a key role in Bournemouth securing promotion from the Championship in 2021-22.

Travers struggled for game time last season and spent the second half of the campaign on loan with Championship side Middlesbrough.

In a statement, the club said: "Everyone at AFC Bournemouth would like to extend their thanks to Mark for his efforts and contribution during his nine years at the club."

Image source, AFC Bournemouth

Bournemouth have unveiled their home kit for the 2025-26 season.

According to the club, the design "reimagines the club's iconic red and black stripes with a distinctive twist".

That twist, the Cherries statement continued, is "a subtle sand-textured pattern woven into each stripe, inspired by the golden shores of Bournemouth's coastline".

Rate the new kit here

All 20 clubs earn a share of Premier League prize money. The amount each club receives depends on their league position and number of televised matches.

Prize money consists of UK and international merit broadcast payments, equal shares, commercial revenues and facility fees.

All clubs received a central commercial payment of £7.9m and equal shares from UK (£29.8m) and international (£59.2m) revenues.

Clubs are also paid a facility fee for matches broadcast on domestic TV. Liverpool had 30 of their 38 league matches televised - more than any other club.

1st: Liverpool - £174.9m

2nd: Arsenal - £171.5m

3rd: Manchester City - £165.5m

4th: Chelsea - £163.7m

5th: Newcastle United - £160.2m

6th: Aston Villa - £159.3m

7th: Nottingham Forest - £152.5m

8th: Brighton - £145.1m

9th: Bournemouth - £143.4m

10th: Brentford - £138.9m

11th: Fulham - £135.5m

12th: Crystal Palace - £136.1m

13th: Everton - £131.8m

14th: West Ham - £130.9m

15th: Manchester United - £136.2m

16th: Wolves - £123.1m

17th: Tottenham - £127.8m

18th: Leicester - £116.9m

19th: Ipswich Town - £111.1m

20th: Southampton - £109.2m

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Young Bournemouth defender Archie Harris says he is "happy" with his new deal and loan to Eastleigh after the "overwhelming moment" of making his first Premier League matchday squad last season.

The 20-year-old has joined the National League side on a season-long loan after signing a new contract with the Cherries earlier this week.

"I was hoping I'd get [a contract] after last season," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"I thought I finished the season strong and the loan move is similar to be honest. Eastleigh had enquired about it towards the end of last season so I was having to wait and wait, but I'm happy to get it over the line and happy to be there.

"On a personal basis, it was a tough start to the season with injury but to come back from that and make my first Premier League squad was a great moment alongside a few of the other lads."

Harris was named on the bench for the Boxing Day game against Crystal Palace and the trip to Fulham that followed, both times remaining an unused substitute.

"The day before is when it all gets announced and it was an overwhelming moment for me and a really proud one for me and my family," he added.

"Then, with the under-21s to finish the season with 14 wins in a row and come up just short of the title was tough, but overall a very good season for us for our first campaign in that league."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

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Bournemouth owner Bill Foley hopes to increase the Vitality Stadium's capacity to approximately 20,500 according to plans submitted to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.

It currently holds 11,286, so the increase of up to 9,215 seats will occur from demolishing the existing South Stand to build a new grandstand and by expanding the North and East stands.

The plan - available on the BCP Council planning website, external - also shows how additional seats will be made by infilling all four stadium corners.

Bournemouth agreed a deal to buy the stadium back from Structadene in April, 20 years after they sold it to the property company to avoid going into administration.

Foley was keen to redevelop the stadium as building a new stadium would have taken five or six years.

There are also plans to modernise the facility with new perimeter fencing and relocated turnstiles, a new ticket office and fan zone and additional hospitality space.

Bournemouth plan hold a public exhibition at Vitality Stadium on Monday, 21 July between 15:30 and 20:00 BST.

Bournemouth are aware of Everton's interest in goalkeeper Mark Travers, who boosted his reputation with an impressive loan spell at Middlesbrough in the Championship last season. (Sky Sports), external

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The BBC's search to find a new football expert is under way, with 12 content creators competing in Last Pundit Standing to win a role as BBC Sport's next football content creator.

The first two episodes of the show - co-hosted by former Watford captain Troy Deeney and YouTuber and football presenter James Allcott - are available to watch on iPlayer, as well as BBC Sport's YouTube channel and TikTok account, with new episodes every week until 11 August.

The contestants, who were chosen from more than 400 applicants, will be whittled down through a series of tasks staged at iconic football locations as the creators are challenged by some of the biggest names in the game.

Read more about the show here

Watch the first two episodes of Last Pundit Standing now on BBC iPlayer

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth's first-team players returned to the training centre over the weekend as pre-season testing took place.

There were plenty of smiles despite the intensive programme Andoni Iraola and his team have put together.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth's newest signing, Adrien Truffert, says he is thrilled to have joined the club as he prepares for his first taste of Premier League football.

Truffert was signed from Rennes as a replacement for Milos Kerkez. The deal is made up of an £11.4m fee and a possible £3m in add-ons, while Rennes have negotiated a 10% sell-on clause.

"Very happy to be here," Truffert said to AFCBTV, external. "It is a very good opportunity to make my start in the Premier League in this club, so very excited and very happy to be here.

"That's why I made this choice. For me to make my start in the Premier League, it's important to come early, to get to meet my teammates, to feel good on the pitch, a lot of time to prepare to have a very good season.

"It will be my first time in the Premier League, but I've played a lot of games in Ligue 1, and it can help me a lot because it's important to have experience before playing in the Premier League. I am very excited, and I will see when I will make my start, it is one of my dreams."

Jordan Clark
BBC Radio Solent

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Antoine Semenyo's new contract was the positive news Bournemouth fans have been craving.

The elation of the Cherries' record breaking season was quickly replaced by a fear that many of their top performers would be plucked away by bigger clubs, so it will be a welcome relief that Semenyo has not followed Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez out the door.

Semenyo is powerful, aggressive and a huge part of the way Bournemouth play under Andoni Iraola. Losing him this summer would probably have been a bigger blow to supporter moral than the departures of Huijsen and Kerkez, who had both been expected to leave for some time.

Despite the speculation about Semenyo's future, I think there was always a quiet confidence amongst the Cherries hierarchy that their joint-top goalscorer from last season would decide to stay.

The contract is essentially just a one-year extension to the long-term deal he signed last summer but it should do enough to ward off the circling vultures for the short-term at least.

Bournemouth have developed Semenyo into one of the most dangerous attackers in the Premier League and he will undoubtedly have ambitions to play European football in the future.

The challenge for the Cherries now will be to match those ambitions.

Bournemouth face competition from Sunderland and Aston Villa for Chelsea's Serbia goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, 25. (Times), external

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