Joe Rothwell has joined Southampton on loan after 35 games for AFC Bournemouth.
The 29-year-old will link up with Russell Martin’s side for the remainder of the season.
Rothwell will join a Championship promotion push with the Saints currently sat in third position and on a 19-game unbeaten run in the league.
The club said: “Everyone connected to AFC Bournemouth wishes Joe well for the rest of the season.”
AFC Bournemouth have signed winger Dango Ouattara on a five and a half year deal.
He’s the first addition of the Bill Foley era and joins the Cherries from Foley’s recent investment side Lorient in France.
Ouattara, 20, has shot to prominence this season, netting six goals and supplying six assists in 18 appearances in Ligue 1, his exploits helping Lorient to seventh place.
His displays included scoring in four successive games in September, Ouattara adding to his goal and assist tally in Lorient’s 2-2 draw with high-flying Monaco last week.
Ouattara had been attracting the attention of several clubs in Europe, including some of the Cherries’ Premier League rivals.
AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake said: “We are pleased to secure the services of Dango, a promising and sought-after player with a great deal of potential.
“We have been monitoring him for a period of time and he fits the profile of the young, ambitious, hungry and hard-working player this club is looking to recruit.
“Bill has outlined his ambitious plans for the club and the signing of an exciting prospect like Dango is testament to the direction he is looking to take us.”
Ouattara, who made 15 appearances for Lorient last season, made his international debut for Burkina Faso during a friendly with Mauritania in December 2021.
He scored his first goal for his country in a 1-0 win over Tunisia in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2022 and has hit five goals in 11 games for Burkina Faso.
Born in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, Ouattara joined Lorient from Burkinabe club Majestic in the summer of 2020 before signing his first professional contract in May 2021.
Bill Foley has completed his takeover of AFC Bournemouth.
He’s appointed himself as the new Chairman of the club says he and his partners are committed to increased investment in the first team as well as the academy and fan experience at Vitality Stadium.
Bill had attended the Cherries’ victory over Leicester City in October ahead of completing the deal, which has now been ratified by the Premier League.
A businessman and philanthropist, Bill also has an extensive background in sports including tremendous success as the founder and owner of the National Hockey League’s Vegas Golden Knights, the first major league sports team in Las Vegas.
Bill and his partners are committed to providing the investment to sustain and build upon AFC Bournemouth’s recent accomplishments, which includes returning to the Premier League in 2022/23, where the Cherries have spent six of the last eight seasons.
Bill is committed to increased investment in AFC Bournemouth’s first team as well as the academy and fan experience at Vitality Stadium, on top of immediately beginning construction of a state-of-the-art training centre and increasing financial commitment to the AFC Bournemouth women’s team and girls’ teams.
Assuming the role of Chairman with immediate effect, Bill will be attending the club’s next home match, against Crystal Palace on 31 December. Having also purchased a home in the local area, Bill reaffirms his commitment to the football club and surrounding community.
“I have tremendous respect for the passion and support the Bournemouth community shows for this club and believe that connection to the community is the foundation for success of any sports team,” Bill said.
“We will move forward with an ‘always advance, never retreat’ approach that has defined all of my endeavours. I am committed to work with the best football and business minds available to enhance player development, facilities, and the fan experience to put AFC Bournemouth in the best possible position to succeed.”
Maxim moves on after 11 years as AFC Bournemouth’s owner, a run which included the club’s ascension from League One to the Premier League in less than five seasons.
Bill added: “Without the belief and financial backing of Maxim and his family, AFC Bournemouth might well have ceased to exist. Maxim’s support and involvement has allowed the club to establish itself as a top-flight team. We’d like to thank him for his co-operation throughout the process and praise his hard work whilst owner of the club. We wish him well as he focusses on his other business endeavours.”
The minority ownership group is led by award-winning actor, director and producer Michael B. Jordan and Nullah Sarker (The Players Tribune, Davis Cup). AFC Bournemouth is Michael’s first foray into professional sports ownership, as he and Nullah will work closely with Bill in areas including global marketing and internationalisation of the club.
Bill’s sports background is highlighted by the performance of the Golden Knights, who debuted in the 2017/18 season with the most successful campaign for an expansion franchise in any sport, reaching the Stanley Cup Final. The first major league professional team in Las Vegas, it has enjoyed perennial on-and-off-ice success and spawned growth in Vegas as a professional sports hub and an exploding youth hockey market.
Bill has also led the construction of multiple sports venues in the Las Vegas Valley, including The Dollar Loan Center, City National Arena, and Lifeguard Arena. Outside of sports, Bill has successfully founded, grown, and operated numerous ventures in the financial and technology sectors, hospitality, and vineyards.
Bill’s philanthropic efforts include the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation, the Folded Flag Foundation, and the Foley Family Charitable Foundation, all of which are committed to giving back to the community.
Gary O’Neil has been appointed as the permanent new head coach at AFC Bournemouth after a spell as caretaker.
O’Neil has agreed terms on an initial one-and-a-half year contract which has the provision to be extended for a further 12 months.
The 39-year-old joined the Cherries as first-team coach in February 2021 and was a member of the coaching staff as the Cherries regained a place in the Premier League after being promoted from the Championship last season.
He took charge of 12 games on an interim basis at the end of August and helped steady the ship following three defeats.
O’Neil began his tenure by presiding over a six-match unbeaten run in the top flight and was nominated for the Premier League manager-of-the-month award in September.
He was at the helm as the Cherries collected thirteen points from wins over Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Everton together with draws against Wolves, Newcastle, Brentford and Fulham.
O’Neil’s permanent appointment follows emphatic back-to-back victories over Everton in the Carabao Cup and Premier League at the start of this month.
He will return to the dugout following the World Cup break when the Cherries visit Newcastle in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday 21st December.
His full coaching setup will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake told afcb.co.uk: “Gary did an excellent job on an interim basis and the board are delighted to make his position as head coach permanent.
“We have been impressed with the way he has conducted himself from the moment he joined the club and feel he has earned this opportunity to continue to take the team and the club forward.
“Gary has worked tirelessly and diligently on the training pitch and the players have responded by producing some excellent performances and results.
“It was evident from the reception he received from our supporters following the Premier League win against Everton that they have also appreciated his efforts and we are all looking forward to continuing our working relationship with him.”
O’Neil enjoyed an illustrious playing career, with 240 of his 542 appearances coming in the Premier League for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, West Ham and Norwich City.
He was also capped by England at under-19, under-20 and under-21 level and captained his country at the 2003 FIFA Under-20 World Youth Championship.
Crowned player of the year at Bolton in his final season, O’Neil took up his first coaching role when he was appointed assistant manager by Liverpool under-23s in August 2020.
AFC Bournemouth has unveiled the club’s home kit for the upcoming 2022/23 Premier League season.