Chelsea have confirmed that defender Nathan Ake has left Stamford Bridge on a temporary basis after completing a loan move to AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday. The 21-year-old spent the last season on loan at Watford and his performance saw him bag the Young Player of the Year award there. Before joining the Hertfordshire outfit, he signed a five-year deal with the west London club.
Ake was hoping that on his return to Stamford Bridge, he would make it to Antonio Conte's squad. However, the Italian manager, who will take charge as Chelsea manager after Italy's Euro 2016 campaign, has decided not to include him in the squad for the 2016-17 season, which saw him join Bournemouth on a season long-loan deal.
"Nathan Ake will spend the 2016/17 season on loan at Bournemouth," a statement read on Chelsea's official website.
"Ake, who has played 12 times for Chelsea including matches in successful Europa League and League Cup campaigns, signed a new five-year contract last summer having joined our Academy in 2011. He is a Netherlands Under-21 international."
Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake has expressed his delight after the club secured a loan deal for the Dutch full-back for one season.
“We are delighted to welcome Nathan to AFC Bournemouth. For a player of his age he already has great experience in the Premier League and we believe he will bring a lot to our squad," Blake told Bournemouth's official website.
“He is an international player with great pedigree, so we are really excited to have him join us for the upcoming season.”
Bournemouth's defence needs to be strengthened after the club decided to allow Sylvain Distin and Tommy Elphick leave the Vitality Stadium after the end of the 2015-16 season. The arrival of Ake - on loan - will only strengthen their squad as the full-back brings Premier League experience with him to his new club.
