Image source, Getty ImagesThe latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's Cherries: Unpicked has landed on BBC Sounds.
The team preview Bournemouth's Premier League opener against Liverpool on Friday after a summer of big change in the backline at Vitality Stadium.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesNew Bournemouth defender Bafode Diakite says he "will give everything for the team" after completing his £34.6m move from Lille.
The 24-year-old will cost the Cherries an initial fee of £30.3m, plus up to £4.3m in add-ons, which makes him Bournemouth's second most expensive signing.
He made 31 Ligue 1 appearances last season as Lille finished fifth in the French top flight, and also played 10 times in the Champions League.
Scoring 13 times across his 112 games for the club since joining in 2022, Lille say he is the highest-scoring defender in France during his three years.
"I'm really happy to be here and I'm very excited to start with the team," Diakite told club media.
"I know the coach has great ideas which enables us to play well in the Premier League. Now I'm at the club, it's a good opportunity to show how I can help the team going forward.
"I'm a defender who likes to have the ball and play with it, and I hope to show my qualities both with and without it. I will give everything for the team and I hope we will have some great moments together."
Having lost three key defenders this window - Illia Zabarnyi becoming the latest sale on Tuesday - the centre-back is set to play a key role in Andoni Iraola's side this season when it gets under way against Liverpool on Friday.
"We're thrilled to welcome Bafode to the club," president of football operations Tiago Pinto added.
"He is someone who has already played a lot of games despite still being early on in his career, and his ambition is something that matches that of the club very well.
"We're really pleased to add him to our squad alongside our other new additions in Adrian Truffert and Djordje Petrovic, as well as Junior Kroupi who has been with the team this summer."
Bournemouth have agreed a deal with Bayer Leverkusen for 25-year-old Morocco forward Amine Adli. (Footmercato - in French), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Tom Jordan
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesIt has been a pretty busy summer of activity for the Cherries, with plenty of notable outgoings, but there is still much reason to remain hopeful.
A contract extension for in-demand winger Antoine Semenyo and a couple of new additions with Djordje Petrovic and Adrien Truffert have been music to the ears for many of us. Indeed, due to some of the outstanding finds previously from our recruitment team, any new incoming is met with real excitement - so hopes are high with these two.
Similarly, we still have head coach Andoni Iraola, a man whose brand of football and tactical insight has enhanced the quality of each player substantially since his arrival. Therefore, with him at the helm, the Bournemouth faithful will always remain optimistic.
However, there is always a flip side. The club have lost four of their back five from last season's record-breaking campaign.
Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was only on a loan, Dean Huijsen's exceptional season meant his £50m release clause was always going to be triggered, and Milos Kerkez to Liverpool always felt on the cards.
However it is the departure of Ilia Zabarnyi that felt a bit out of the blue - but when the Champions League winners PSG come knocking, it is hard for the club to present a case to Zabarnyi to stay.
Replacing each of these has remained at the forefront and despite having no doubt that the club will do so adequately, it may well take time to adapt, so there is an obvious fear that the mass change may make the season more of a struggle.
The defensive unit were so key to the club achieving their greatest ever finish, so it is essential we can rely on this department being as solid as possible.
Interesting times ahead!
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Illia Zabarnyi has become the third major sale from Bournemouth's defence this summer after Dean Huijsen joined Real Madrid and Liverpool signed Milos Kerkez.
So are the Cherries in trouble defensively?
BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton says the situation is a "nightmare."
Journalist Rory Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club: "That [back line] is difficult to replace. I'm not worried in the sense that they will get relegated, but it will be a great challenge for Andoni Iraola.
"They will still be great going forward but rebuilding that defence will be difficult.
"We are just days away from the first game of the season so the timing isn't great and I am sure they would have preferred Zabarnyi to leave earlier if he was going to go."
Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds
Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesBournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has no issues with having to change his plans because he has lost so many players.
Defender Illia Zabarnyi is close to completing a £57m move to Paris St-Germain. It would follow on from Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez as a big money exit from the squad that finished a club record equalling ninth in the Premier League last term.
Rather than be irritated by the losses, Iraola treats the demand to find solutions as a challenge, as he outlined when he spoke to BBC Sport in Atlanta just over a week ago.
"I do not want to lose players but when the window is open, you never know what's going to happen," he said.
"Obviously, if the more important players stay with us, it's going to be easier - but if something else happens, we will also adapt.
"We will be like the club. They will be ready for whatever the situation is - and we will do our job.
"Whatever the scenario is, when the market finishes, the club will give us the players to compete."
Iraola is aware of the additional scrutiny on him this season after Bournemouth came so close to securing European qualification for the first time.
However, he is adamant he will not allow past success to be the measure by which he is judged this term.
"It has to be a reset," Iraola added. "We start from zero. Everyone starts from zero.
"Once you play one or two games, nobody will remember what we did last season."
Image source, Getty ImagesBournemouth's new £25m goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has praised the club's swiftness in completing his transfer from Chelsea.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, he said: "I am very happy, very excited. I have met a lot of nice guys and team-mates.
"We have a nice atmosphere and I am really happy to be a part of this club. My agent spoke to the club in February and they really wanted me in the middle of June.
"It was a perfect step for me. There was a lot of options, but Bournemouth was the faster one, and they really wanted me.
"You can see how much the people in the club want to achieve something higher, and that is something I want to do as well, so that is one of the reasons why I chose Bournemouth."
Image source, AFC Bournemouth websiteBournemouth have unveiled their third kit for the 2025-26 season.
A club statement explains that it is the first time the Cherries have worn pink since the 2015-16 season, which was their second as a Premier League club and included away wins against Newcastle and Crystal Palace wearing the colour.
"The eye-catching design combines two vibrant shades of pink with bold purple accents, ensuring Andoni Iraola's side stand out on the road this season," the club added.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on how ready Bournemouth are for the new season after the Cherries finished their pre-season with two draws against Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Here are some of your comments:
Brad: I thought the boys looked quite good at the pre-season match. No goals, but keeper looks solid, as does our defence, which was a big worry. I think we'll be solid, but perhaps not reaching the heights of last season. I'll be there at Anfield on Friday, a 22 hour round coach trip to watch the boys! What could be better?
Simon: Hard to tell from pre-season, but selling at least two, possibly five, of your best players and apparently only replacing one is concerning. What also worries me as a Cherries fan is this popular 'I want to see what other options are available' culture that's rife at the moment. Looking as Isak at Newcastle and possibly Ouattara here, it could spell trouble for the smaller clubs. Loyalty is not a word for 2025.
Steve: With only one week to go before the start of the Premier League season I'm really hoping we can sign a couple of centre-backs and an additional striker. Plenty of possible player rumours around, but I will trust in Andoni and the AFCB recruitment team, backed by Bill Foley, to get the job done...
Paul: Bournemouth desperately need another centre-back to support Hill and Senesi and maybe a little help upfront - although Ouattara and Unal are more than capable if they both stay healthy. Everywhere else looks strong.
Charles: I still believe that the club is in its infancy regarding player acquisition and moving on. The new training facilities will gather new talent but it will take a few years to see the successful results. So, AFCB will have to trade, much to the supporters' dismay. Recent sales show the expectation to see players stay longer than a couple of seasons, or even just one. The club is not big enough - yet. I'm sure they will get new talent but there will be growing pains.
Paul: Bournemouth football club's philosophy is to buy young and cheap and then sell on for a profit after a few years in the team. Dean went a bit early. Best to have sold players early in the transfer window. Buying now means they unfortunately won't be able for the start next Friday at Liverpool.
Image source, Getty ImagesBournemouth manager Andoni Iraola spoke to BBC Radio Solent after the club's final pre-season match against Real Sociedad.
On Illya Zabarnyi: "You know me, I hate this month. Things are happening. Zaba [Illya Zabarnyi] has not played in our last two games but it is not official so we have to wait. I think it will happen but we have to wait until everything is signed and official".
On an attempt to sign Bafode Diakite: "We are trying to sign centre-backs after we lost Dean [Huijsen] and Zabarnyi. I can't talk about players that are not ours. We need two new centre-backs. It will be impossible to replace the ones that have left but the best centre-backs we can find, the club is working on it".
On the future of Dango Ouattara: "He is our player, I don't want to lose him, but I haven't wanted to lose any of the players this summer. While the window is open there will be speculation. I don't know what will happen but I hate these things because you have players and you don't know who could be available. We have lost important players but this is something we cannot change. When the market ends, I hope we will be in the best situation [possible]."
Pre-season is completed and the countdown to the 2025-26 season is on.
It's been a quiet summer at Bournemouth with two arrivals and five departures.
The season starts at Liverpool on Friday - but are they ready?
Image source, Getty ImagesBournemouth drew 0-0 with Real Sociedad at Vitality Stadium on Saturday to round of their pre-season campaign.
Summer signing from Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic made the game's key intervention when he saved a Mikel Oyarzabal just before half-time.
Earlier, Andoni Iraola's side drew 1-1 with Sociedad in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the club's training ground, with Evanilson on the scoresheet.
You have been sharing your stories and photos about why you love Bournemouth.
Here is a final selection of your submissions, but do make sure you scroll down this page to see all the best responses from throughout the week:
Roger: Supporter since 1961 when my dad first took me to Dean Court aged five. My first away match was at Luton in 1969. The promotions are special memories - York 1971, Fulham 1987, Carlisle 2013, Charlton 2015 and Nottingham Forest 2022.
I received my O-level results away at Watford in August 1972 via a half time announcement. A shame we lost 3-2 (after being 2-0 up!).
Stefan: Growing up a short walk away from Dean Court and watching games in the late 90s. I remember seeing the newly refurbished stadium for seating, but we ran out of money to complete the final stand and in its place was a 15ft mound of dirt!
This did not stop kids hanging out of nearby cherry trees on match day to watch the games - how times have changed. My grandad also played for the Bournemouth and Boscombe football club in the 1930s, so I was always going to support Bournemouth.
Ron: I was nine years old when the Football League restarted after World War Two.
Together with a group of pals I would cycle 10 miles each way every Saturday afternoon to Dean Court (now Vitality Stadium) to watch either the first team or the reserves of Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic FC.
I have followed them through thick and thin, from Division Three (South) to the dizzy heights of the Premier League.
At 78, distance and infirmity preclude me from attending matches, but I often wonder if there are any of my contemporaries who recall those times.
Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesBournemouth have re-opened talks to sign Lille defender Bafode Diakite as Illia Zabarnyi nears a £55m move to Paris St-Germain.
Lille president Olivier Letang had previously been reluctant to sell Diakite but did not rule out the potential departure of a central defender when asked about it on Friday afternoon, answering "it's possible but only one".
Bournemouth are also keen on signing an additional central defender, with Dean Huijsen having joined Real Madrid in a £50m deal earlier this summer, and are open to signing an additional striker to provide competition for Evanilson.
This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos about why you fell in love with Bournemouth.
Here is a selection of your submissions:
Matt: From watching old Division Three and Division Four football as a kid with collection buckets in the streets to help avoid the club going out of business, to taking my daughter to watch the masterclass of beating Newcastle 4-1 away last season - just magic.
Andy: My late father was in charge of the policing at Dean Court in the 1970s and 1980s and from the age of six he would take me to the ground early and leave me in what was the directors' box while he worked. We all dreamed of Division One/Premier League success, but as a young boy I was brought up in the old Division Four playing the likes of Crewe, Scunthorpe and Leyton Orient and I loved every minute of it.
Den: 15 November 1959. Bournemouth v Tooting & Mitcham in the FA Cup at Sandy Lane. That's me, the little guy at the front with the rattle and scarf. My dad is there somewhere, but those were the days when you let the kids go to the front. Unfortunately, the result was not what we wanted - 3-1 defeat. That was after beating Tottenham two years before in the cup and then losing 2-1 to Manchester United in the next game. Never mind, I've stayed a supporter over all those years. Come on the Cherries!
Send us your pictures and stories here
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen has been nominated for the 2025 Kopa Trophy award for his performances with the club last season.
Huijsen, 20, joined Real Madrid this summer for £50m after impressing with the Cherries last campaign.
The Spain international made 41 appearances last season as Bournemouth finished ninth in the Premier League.
The Kopa Trophy is presented to the best under-21 men's footballer. The winner will be announced on Monday, 22 September 2025 during a ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in central Paris.
Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Danielle Sarver CoombsWhen it comes to our love for a football club, the answer to why we do lies in "both psychological and societal" reasons.
In the first part of her chat with BBC Sport, researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs spoke about the part that identity and tradition play.
And yet when we are caught up in the emotions of a tough defeat or nerves of an important match, we can often ask why we put ourselves through it.
"There are psychological processes at work and physiological ones in terms of how we respond and engage," Sarver Coombs said.
"An example that I always give is when I take the train to work, I go past Arsenal's stadium and I feel literally nothing other than: 'Oh, that's a big building'. Whereas on a train to Manchester, I went by Villa Park and my heart started pounding. I got all excited and was trying to take pictures out the window.
"I had a visceral reaction to this place. We can't pretend we don't have that sort of physical reaction because we do.
"When someone is talking about a controversial decision and I feel myself getting wound up, even though I intellectually know that I can't control it and that it's just a game, my body doesn't know that.
"My gut doesn't know that and so I have this really emotional response and we can't control that."
A 2023 book titled 'Football on the brain: why minds love sport, external' suggests it comes down to 'an understandable and logical consequence of the human mind's natural inclination to find meaning through beliefs... It's a religion as far as the brain is concerned'.
But it not just about what is going on inside the mind but outside influences too.
"There is a sociological element to it because the community part is such a huge driver and benefit for us," Sarver Coombs explains.
"Sociologically, we are driven to be part of communities. We are driven to find our groups that we can be members of. Sport provides a way to do that - this sense that I was chosen to be part of this community and it's something bigger than I am."
As the game expands, unrest among supporters seems to be increasing, but how does that impact this ingrained love for a club?
"You always go through these cycles when the game is changing," Sarver Coombs said.
"Despite all the changes, the traditions remain so strong and it's such a huge draw that it becomes really hard to actually separate yourself from it. Even if you do, it tends to be a short-term separation. You get sucked back in because something happens.
"People don't want that change, but then we adapt to it and continue moving forward."
Browse this page to see lots of fan stories for how you fell in love with your club.
And check out those from other Premier League teams over here
Image source, Getty ImagesAs Bournemouth return from playing in the Premier League Summer Series, BBC Sport chief football news reporter Simon Stone tells BBC Radio Solent what he learned spending time around the Cherries in the US: "Iraola seems OK about where Bournemouth are.
"I think he views some of the squad as being where he'd want them to be and some of the squad not quite being up to speed. He wants those 15 players he's going to rely on to be at the same level.
"He is obviously wary about more players potentially leaving the club - like Illia Zabarnyi, who would be a crucial figure.
"Iraola would prefer to lose players in the way that he lost Dean Huijsen early in the summer. He got time to work out how he's going to address it.
"He always talks about the collective being more important than the individuals. And when you're a club the size of Bournemouth, you have to think like that, because you're always at risk after a good season of losing your best players.
"I don't think he's destabilised by the talk of more players leaving, but that would give him another issue he'd prefer not to have to deal with.
"And, clearly, he's wanting players - like Alex Scott in particular - to stay fit so he gets continuity of selection."
