Bournemouth have confirmed the club-record permanent signing of Nathan Ake from Chelsea, with the fee believed to be £20m.
The young Dutch defender spent the first half of last season on loan with the Cherries, but was recalled from his loan spell in January.
Bournemouth tried to sign Ake at the turn of the year, only for Blues boss Antonio Conte to veto any permanent exit.
However, Conte was happy to sanction the 22-year-old’s sale this summer, with Eddie Howe’s side spending big to bring him back to the Vitality Stadium.
“AFC Bournemouth have completed the signing of Netherlands international defender Nathan Ake for a club record fee,” a statement read on the club’s official website.
“The 22-year-old arrives from Premier League champions Chelsea and has put pen to paper on a long-term deal at Vitality Stadium.
“Ake spent the first half of the 2016/17 season on loan with the Cherries, making 12 appearances and scoring three goals before being recalled to Stamford Bridge in January, where he helped the Blues lift the top flight title and reach the FA Cup final.
“The versatile Dutchman moved to Chelsea from Feyenoord in the summer of 2011, aged just 16, and has also enjoyed temporary spells with Reading and Watford.
“Having represented his country at every level from under-15 to under-21, he won his first two caps for the senior Holland side earlier this summer.”
On his return to Bournemouth, Ake said: “I had a great time here last season so I’m really happy to be back,” said Ake.
“It’s an exciting challenge. Chelsea is a great club and I learned so much there but this is a new step and the right place for me to develop even more.
“The fans haven’t seen the best of me yet. I always set the bar high so I know there is a lot of things I still have to work on.
“With the help of the manager here I know I can keep improving and become a better player.”
Manager Eddie Howe added: “I am delighted that we have completed the signing of Nathan on a permanent basis.
“He is someone we know all about, having had a very successful loan spell here last season.
“Nathan is an outstanding young player with a fantastic attitude and a great desire to learn and develop.
“He has a very bright future ahead of him and I’m very pleased to say that future is here.”
