AFC Bournemouth new signing Connor Mahoney hopes to break into the Cherries squad during the upcoming Premier League season.
Mahoney signed a four year contract at Dean Court following his move from Blackburn Rovers.
Mahoney had made his Football League debut for Accrington Stanley in August 2013 and made 6 appearances before joining Blackburn Rovers less than five months later.
He made 24 appearances for Blackburn Rovers, with all but 3 of those appearances coming during the 2016/17 campaign, including 3 appearances for Blackburn Rovers Under 23’s in the Football League Trophy.
Mahoney looked keen to move from Blackburn following their relegation to the third tier of English football and was heavily linked with Championship side Nottingham Forest.
Mahoney had reportedly already had a medical and agreed personal terms with the Championship side, however due to Mahoney’s age the clubs would need to agree a compensation fee and Nottingham Forest could not agree a fee with Blackburn Rovers.
This left the window open for AFC Bournemouth to make their move and the Nottingham Post reported…
‘Howe hijacked the deal at the last minute, and the England youth international has ended up at Bournemouth, with the Cherries still thrashing out compensation with Blackburn.’
The report also made reference to the apparent situation that ‘Mahoney rejected the chance to join Nottingham Forest’s first team squad to join Bournemouth’s Under-23s.’
Mahoney will initially be joining AFC Bournemouth’s Under 21’s squad, but will be in contention to compete for a place amongst the Cherries other wingers in Junior Stanislas, Marc Pugh, Ryan Fraser, Jordon Ibe and Maxi Gradel.
Mahoney told the Daily Echo…
‘…The manager has taken Bournemouth from League Two to the Premier League, and then to finish ninth last year was an incredible achievement.
“Hopefully, this season we can go a bit better and I can get a few minutes…”
‘…I have some experience of moving clubs but this is on a different level, You’re in the public eye playing in the Premier League and it’s exciting.
‘I just want to get settled and play as many games as possible.
Your Say…
northstandmark wrote…
Seems like exactly the sort of player who does well under Howe, a quick and direct attacker.
Would be good to have a look at him in pre-season and see where abouts he fits in the pecking order. – Join the conversation here.
It’s easy to join AFCB Vital
Sign up and have your say on the articles, polls and forums, just click the link to register.
