AFC Bournemouth have completed the signing of Dango Ouattara from FC Lorient for a fee in the region of £20m.
The Cherries new attacker has signed a five and half year contract and could make his debut this weekend when Bournemouth host Nottingham Forest at Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
Ouattara joins Bournemouth after impressing in France’s Ligue Un scoring six goals and creating six assists in 18 appearances this season, including an assist and goal in the recent draw with high-flying Monaco.
The 20-year-old winger is also an international having made 11 appearances for Burkina Faso scoring five goals.
Bournemouth managed to secure the young forward after beating off competition from rival Premier League club’s and will be a welcome addition to Gary O’Neil’s squad.
With pace and good dribbling skills, Ouattara will offer something different to the Cherries attack and he will wear the number 11 shirt vacated by Emi Marcondes.
New player = new shirt number 🔥 pic.twitter.com/b8sPs1ne13
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Bournemouth chief executive, Neill Blake said: “We are pleased to secure the services of Dango, a promising and sought-after player with a great deal of potential.
“We have been monitoring him for a period of time and he fits the profile of the young, ambitious hungry and hard-working player this club is looking to recruit.”
The 20-year-old becomes the first player to join the Cherries since the arrival of American billionaire Bill Foley as the club’s new owner. Foley also recently acquired a minority stake in FC Lorient which appears to have helped get the deal over the line and the 77-year-old’s ambition for the club has become clear with this signing.
Speaking about the owner’s vision for the club, Blake added: “Bill has outlined his ambitious plans for the club and the signing of an exciting prospect like dango is testament to the direction he is looking to take us.”
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