Former England, Arsenal and West Ham United midfielder Jack Wilshere has been released by AFC Bournemouth following the end of his short-term contract at Dean Court.
Wilshere re-joined the Cherries in January after a short spell of training with the club over the winter, signing a short-term deal until the conclusion of the 2020/21 Championship campaign.
He played under two managers on the south coast over the past five months, former manager Jason Tindall, who had worked with Wilshere during his previous spell with the club four years ago, and then under Jonathan Woodgate.
During his first spell with AFC Bournemouth, which was on loan from Arsenal, Wilshere became a fan favourite amongst the Dean Court faithful and made 27 Premier League appearances for the club, in what turned out to be the most game time he had enjoyed in the league since the 2010/11 season with Arsenal with 1,916 minutes played.
His form with AFC Bournemouth saw him return to London to make 20 Premier League appearances and 13 UEFA Europa League appearances for Arsenal, before making the move across the capital to West Ham United.
However, the move proved to be an unsuccessful one, with just 601 minutes of league football in over two years with the club, with Wilshere eventually having his contract terminated by mutual consent.
As a free agent, Wilshere had been able to choose whoever he wanted to join and opted to return to the south coast after three weeks of training with the club.
But his second spell didn’t prove to be as successful as his first. Wilshere despite being fit was unable to regularly break into the first-team, making just 15 Championship appearances, including 9 starts, totalling 714 minutes of football.
With the likes of Jefferson Lerma, Ben Pearson, Philip Billing and when back from injury Lewis Cook, the Cherries are currently awash with quality in central midfield. Which has probably led to the decision which has seen Jack Wilshere released.
Should AFCB have offered Wilshere a new deal?
Yes
No
Don't know
A class act on and off the pitch 🤝
We'd like to thank @JackWilshere for his efforts since returning to the club and wish him all the best moving forward 👏#afcb 🍒 pic.twitter.com/4GreSMU43H
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) May 27, 2021
The day before AFC Bournemouth announced his departure, posting on his Instagram account Wilshere said…
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPVNqWfBmMx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Thank you to everyone @officialafcb for the last five months. My teammates, All the staff and especially the fans. You were amazing last time and continued to support me this time. Being honest, i don’t know if this is the end. The coming weeks will tell. Unfortunately we didn’t reach our goal of promotion but there is plenty of positives and experience to take into next year to get this club back where it belongs!
Have a good summer
Your say…
thegazzyb wrote…
It sounds as if he’d be open to staying, I guess it will come down to wage demands in the end. Based on this season though, it seems unlikely that he’d get enough game time here to satisfy his needs IMO. I suppose a lot depends upon who we manage to keep and who we are forced to sell. A spot may still open up for Jack to be a more regular starter next season, in which case he/we might consider an extension.
If this is the end Jack, thank you for your efforts and your support for our club.
You have always been very professional and committed to our cause, we’ve enjoyed having you here. Top pro and a decent bloke. I’d buy you a pint anytime should our paths ever cross. I’ve been proud to see you in an AFCB shirt in your two stints here.
Good luck, wherever you end up, Mr. Wilshere. – Join the conversation, click here.
