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(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media, Imago)

Aasif Rahman

Thu 14 August 2025 21:30, UK

Bournemouth players were quick to react on social media following the club’s announcement of a new signing to join the side ahead of the new Premier League season.

The Cherries enjoyed a standout 2024/25 season under Andoni Iraola, finishing ninth in the Premier League and achieving their highest points tally in the competition to date.

That success, however, has been followed by a summer of departures.

Dean Huijsen completed a move to Real Madrid in June, while most recently Illia Zabarnyi joined Paris Saint-Germain in a £57 million deal, leaving gaps in Bournemouth’s squad.

In response, the club has been active in the transfer market to strengthen the team.

After securing the signing of Adrien Truffert, Bournemouth have now moved to bring in a new centre-back, signalling their intent to remain competitive despite the summer exodus.

(Credit: Imago) Huijsen joined Real Madrid for a £50m fee.

With several defenders leaving the club this summer, Bournemouth have moved quickly in the transfer market to secure a replacement, completing the signing of Bafode Diakite from Lille.

The club confirmed the deal on Instagram, captioning the post: “Our new centre-back.”

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The announcement drew plenty of reaction, with new teammates such as Justin Kluivert and Truffert liking the post, while former teammate Leny Yoro also shared his support.

The 24-year-old will cost the Cherries around £34 million, making him Bournemouth’s second most expensive signing after Evanilson.

Diakite made 112 appearances across all competitions for Lille since joining from Toulouse in 2022 for £2.5 million, giving Lille a significant profit on the deal.

With their reliable centre-back pairing of Huijsen and Zabarnyi now gone, as well as Milos Kerkez departing for Liverpool, Diakite is expected to play a key role in stabilising the defence.

Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images

While the Cherries have already seen several departures this summer, winger Dango Ouattara could be next to exit.