Ahead of the weekend’s fixtures, AFC Bournemouth and Shrewsbury Town announced a surprising transfer.
34-year-old Charlie Daniels, who had been out of contract at Dean Court since the end of last season, but had been training regularly with the first team, had joined League One side Shrewsbury Town on a free transfer on a short-term contract.
The move ends a near nine year association with the Cherries, having joined AFC Bournemouth from Leyton Orient in November 2011.
The Cherries agreed a fee reportedly in the region of £200,000 with then League One rivals Leyton Orient, with the deal initially a loan and then made permanent during the next transfer window.
It proved to be money very well spent as across all competitions, Daniels made 265 appearances and played a key role in two promotion-winning campaigns, with promotion from League One coming in 2013, a campaign where Daniels made 39 appearances in all competitions, scored 4 goals and was a key part of a back four that kept 12 clean sheets following the arrival of Eddie Howe in October 2012.
That promotion was special but winning the Championship title in 2015, eclipsed it. Earning promotion to the top tier of English football for the first time in the clubs history.
Daniels made 43 appearances in all competitions that season, scoring twice and kept 19 clean sheets.
129 further appearances came in the Premier League, with the last appearance being against Manchester City in August 2019 when he was stretchered off with a suspected dislocated patella (kneecap), news that was later confirmed following a scan.
Daniels had remained with AFC Bournemouth following relegation from the Premier League. Former AFC Bournemouth captain Simon Francis was released as was midfielder Andrew Surman.
It had appeared that the door wasn’t closed on Daniels career at Dean Court, so his departure was a surprise to the Dean Court faithful.
Should AFCB have offered Daniels a new deal?
Yes
No
Don't know
Good luck @chazdaniels13 you will be sorely missed and I’m gutted to see you leave. A Bournemouth legend and still so much to give on and off the pitch, they are lucky to have you 💪🏼 https://t.co/8ZBtYlc5Ui
— Steve Cook (@SteveCook28) October 23, 2020
💪 265 appearances
⚽ 17 goals
🆙 Two promotions
❤️ One unsung heroWhat a journey it's been, @chazdaniels13 👏 pic.twitter.com/n6kfeutZ11
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) October 23, 2020
On his arrival at Shrewsbury Town, Salops Manager Sam Ricketts told shrewsburytown.com…
“Charlie was at Bournemouth for nearly 10 years and went through the leagues with them. He’s been a model professional and has played at the highest level.
“Last season he was playing in the Premier League. He’s someone we are delighted to have at the club. We are looking forward to working with him.
“He’s ready to get started straight away and will bring valuable experience to the team. When I spoke to him, he was really keen to play for Shrewsbury. He wants to be a part of what we are doing and was very keen to join the club.”
On his departure from the south coast AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake told afcb.co.uk…
“Charlie has been an unbelievable servant for this club over the past nine years.
“What he achieved for AFC Bournemouth will never be forgotten. He played such an integral part in our most successful period and his name will forever be etched in folklore here.
“With every promotion, Charlie stepped up another level and was a consistent, outstanding performer and the model professional.
“It is emotional to see another member of that iconic team leave the club but following the injuries he has suffered over the past 18 months, Charlie needs regular game time at a strong level, and I’m delighted that this contract at Shrewsbury Town will allow him to gain that.”
Your say…
kirsikka wrote…
I’m pretty surprised at this and can only assume they’ve decided that Zemura has got what it takes and is ready to make an impact at Championship level.
Stacey, Rico and Smith and possibly Kelly as the only fullback options in the squad is too light.
Meanwhile, good luck to Charlie. It’s been quite a ride! He should be pretty ridiculous in L1 as long as he’s fully over his injury. – Join the conversation, click here.
I had just moved to Dorset in 2010. I met Charlie at Canford School Swimming Pool, where the boys were training. I didn’t know him from Adam, but he was such an unassuming and pleasant guy that I went out and bought a Cherries Season ticket on the back of that meeting. Wow, talk about the best investment I have ever made! Thanks for all the fun Charlie 😀 and I hope you have a fantastic and injury free time at Shrewsbury ✋