Nine years ago Junior Stanislas joined AFC Bournemouth on a free transfer from Burnley.
179 appearances, 38 goals and 2 promotions to the Premier League later and the now 33-year-old is saying goodbye to the Cherries.
The classy midfielder scored during eight of his nine seasons on the south coast, including 20 Premier League goals and 11 coming in the Championship, with 9 of those goals coming in just 12 games during the 2020/21 campaign, where Stanislas enjoyed his least injury hit season.
A great player and an even better person 🥺
Thank you, Junior 🙌 pic.twitter.com/OVQDDynTLB
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) June 2, 2023
Stanislas’ Premier League goals will probably be the most well-remembered, starting with his brace against Everton in November 2015, where Stanislas equalised twice in the 87th and 90th minutes to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw.
Just two weeks later and Stanislas was on the scoresheet again, scoring directly from a corner against Manchester United and immediately whipping off his black arm to give it a kiss and point to Harry Arter.
A couple of years later and he scored a stunning free-kick against West Bromwich Albion to all but secure the Cherries status in the top flight of English football for another campaign.
Pinpoint accuracy 🎯 https://t.co/arz9URsyCB pic.twitter.com/67COLJrXOk
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) June 2, 2023
AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake told afcb.co.uk…
“One of our longest serving players, we wish Junior nothing but the best for what comes next.
“He’s played a massive part in helping the club get to where we are today and his talent and dedication has been an inspiration for those around him.
“We appreciate all of his hard work both on and off the pitch, with his excellent work in the community also a huge testament to his character.”
His favourite moment 🙌
Working in the community ❤️
What it means to be part of #afcb 🍒Junior Stanislas talks about his brilliant career on the south coast 👏
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) June 2, 2023
Your say…
Green_Cherry wrote…
He’s one of those rare players that has it all in his locker, he had pace, could beat a man 1 on 1, had a good finish, was good at set pieces and could help out defensively when needed. Really a great talent, such a shame his body let him down in the end
Sorry Roger said…
I have many good memories of him. Perhaps his most important goal was the equaliser against Everton in our first season in the Premier League. Without that last-minute draw, I doubt we would then have embarked on a purple patch of three successive victories. Those ten points were pivotal to the season.
TrevorMorganFanClub posted…
I used to stick a fiver on Junior to score first occasionally when the odds were good, in case we got a free kick near the box.
Paid off at Old Trafford at stupid odds!
A very talented player still managed some superb performances and goals despite the terrible injury record. My favourites are the Everton equaliser and rolling the ball in at Chelsea after a few one-twos with Callum Wilson left their defence looking daft. A fantastic goal that will never get the credit it deserved, except from Chelsea fans, weirdly!
Neil Dawson added…
Very intelligent player and people knocking his injury record should be ashamed. It will have gutted him a hundred times more than any of us.
Get the comments about his goals in the draw with Everton but my favourite goal of his was the winner v Everton at home bent with vicious power from 30 yards.
There was a very brief injury-free spell when he was the first name on the team sheet for a while. A sign of a career that might have been.
Cherry_Bozzo said…
Such a shame about his injuries and anyone who slags him off just because of that really needs to shake their head and think about what constitutes a quality footballer.
A great shame we did not have him at the weekend as he scored a few against Everton.
Turkued wrote…
When fit, a man who could change the momentum of a game all by himself. An even better man than he was a player, he was so good with kids and the developmentally challenged. He has the type of character we should want at the club. When his playing days are over, I hope room is found for him on staff. – To join the conversation, click here.
