AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Türkiye international Enes Ünal will make his loan move from Spanish La Liga side Getafe permanent in the summer.
The 26-year-old made the move to the Cherries during the January transfer window. It was announced at the time, that the deal included an obligation to purchase him for £14 million.
The 6ft 2″ striker came through the Bursaspor youth team in Türkiye before making the move to England in 2015, he didn’t make a single appearance for Manchester City, but would go out on loan to Belgium and Netherlands with Genk, NAC Breda and FC Twente. During these loan spells he scored 29 goals in 61 appearances in all competitions.
In 2017 Ünal made the move to Spain joining La Liga side Villarreal for £12 million. He scored 5 goals in 31 appearances before joining Levante on loan where he added another goal to his tally in a further 7 appearances for the 2017/18 season.
The following campaign saw another loan move in Spain, this time to Real Valladolid where he would spend the next two seasons on loan, making 71 appearances and scoring 14 times.
This prompted a permanent switch to Getafe in 2020, where over three and a bit seasons he has scored 36 goals in 109 appearances in all competitions.
Since his move to Dean Court, Ünal’s appearances have been limited to just one Premier League start, which came on Sunday against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Ünal rewarded Iraola with a goal, his second in a Cherries shirt. He’s also claimed 2 assists, in his 218 minutes. A goal contribution ratio of 1 every 55 minutes.
Discussing Unal with the BBC as quoted by the Daily Echo, Iraola said…
“Yes, it is going to be permanent.
“I am really happy, especially with his attitude, how he is integrating on the pitch and off the pitch.
“I think it is a very good signing for us.”
“He has been pushing a lot. It has been a difficult situation for him, because it is always difficult to take minutes from Dom Solanke.
“(On Sunday) we decided to play with two up front.
“He had a very clear chance in the first half, but also he was involved in the first goal, very good at attacking the corner.
“I am happy because he scored a really nice goal in the second half.”
Your say…
unbelievable_coconut99 said…
Unal looks a tidy player and think he will be good for us. Would love to see us play with 2 strikers in the starting 11 more often. I have a feeling we will keep hold of Solanke for another season though. – To join the conversation, click here.
