In January 2019, AFC Bournemouth made the somewhat surprise signing of Dominic Solanke from Liverpool for a reported £17.5million.
With Callum Wilson, Joshua King, Lys Mousset and at the time Jermain Defoe, the attacking options at Dean Court looked strong.
But an apparent opportunity arose to swoop for the former England Under-20’s World Cup-winning striker and AFC Bournemouth opted to spend some of their summer transfer kitty early.
At 6ft 2″, Solanke has scored at all age levels for England. Scoring 35 goals in 67 appearances from Under-16’s to Under-21’s.
He also boasts one England cap playing in a friendly against Brazil in November 2017.
He is yet to find the net in the colours of AFC Bournemouth, but following the departure of Lys Mousset to Sheffield United for £10million, Solanke has now taken the number 9 shirt at the Cherries, switching from his old 29 number and is seeking to make a big impact during his first full season on the south coast.
#S9LANKE 👊 pic.twitter.com/GJSZJxOXn7
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) July 25, 2019
Solanke told AFCBTV as quoted by the Daily Echo…
“Having been a striker all my life, my favourite number is the number nine.
“Growing up, watching great players like R9 (Ronaldo), Ibrahimovic and Benzema to name a few, you always saw top players in that number so I’m delighted to get it.
“I’m really looking forward to the start of the season, I arrived midway through last season so it’s a fresh start for myself and everyone else in the squad.
“With the new number, hopefully I can score goals and make an impact, we’re looking forward to that first game.”
Dom Solanke was on target for Bournemouth today in the 3-1 win at Brentford 👊
Listen to @DomSolanke with @KatieShanahan3 on the win, the new season and potentially playing with Philip Billing 🔊👇 #afcb 🍒 pic.twitter.com/1xDx66Jdx3
— BBC Radio Solent Sport (@solentsport) July 27, 2019
Your say…
Tinpot Club wrote…
Must admit I was very dubious of the Solanke signing due to his goal-scoring record. Nothing so far in a Bournemouth shirt would disprove that.
However, given how Eddie Howe likes to play 2 strikers but not necessarily 2 upfront, I’m rather encouraged by how he links up with Callum Wilson as a number 10. He holds the ball up well into his feet and seems to have the vision to play a forward pass too.
Reminds me a lot of Yann Kermorgant who very unfairly got pigeonholed as a target man. Both have far too much quality to be described like that and even if Solanke won’t prove the best in terms of goals, I think there are encouraging signs his overall contribution could be very effective. – Join the conversation, click here.
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