Nathaniel Clyne Loaned to Bournemouth
Nathaniel Clyne, the Liverpool defender, has joined Bournemouth on loan for the rest of the season.
The defender joins former Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke on the South Coast who completed a £19m move to the Cherries earlier today.
The 27-year-old defender was keen to seek out regular first-team football after finding himself sidelined at table-topping Liverpool.
Bournemouth have agreed to pay Liverpool an undisclosed fee and will cover all of Clyne’s wages.
Disgruntled Clyne has started just one game in the Premier League. The Red’s manager Jurgen Klopp preferred England starlet Trent Alexander-Arnold in the right-back slot.
The defender had replaced injured Alexander-Arnold for the Reds 3-1 win over Manchester United last month. However, Klopp opted to play midfielder James Milner at right-back rather than Clyne in the game against Wolves. Therefore becoming clear Clyne would remain on the fringes of his side.
The Side-line for Clyne?
Jurgen Klopp also has the option of Fabinho for the position, exciting Dutch teenager Ki-Jana, the return of Alexander-Arnold, and indeed Milner. Therefore Clyne became anxious to move in a bid for first-team football.
Teaming up with Solanke for the Cherries, albeit on loan, is clearly the best move for 27-year-old Clyne. Having the pair together at Bournemouth will be a bonus for Cherries boss Eddie Howe, ensuring an easier settlement for both concerned.
Clyne was once a consistent choice for Liverpool, where he clocked up 52 appearances in 2015/6 and a further 41 in 2016/17 where he missed just one match in the Premier League.
It appears the rise of former Ajax teenager Ki-Jana, however, has impressed Klopp, slotting easily into either centre or right-back, thus making the decision to allow Clyne out on loan an easy one for all concerned. Clyne played just five matches for the Reds last term, and just two this season.
Clyne; ”I’m really excited..”
Clyne spoke of his latest move on the Bournemouth website; ”I’m really excited by this opportunity. It’s a great chance for me to come and play football. It’s a great club with a great story. I can’t wait to get going.”
With the Cherries’ captain and established right-back Simon Francis ruled out with injury for up to nine months, and Adam Smith out since November following knee surgery, Howe is delighted to receive Clyne.
Howe said of the move; ”Naturally he wants to play football and is very keen to bring his attributes to the team. We’re excited about what he can deliver for us.”
The Cherries have also today completed the £19m signing of Dominic Solanke, also from Liverpool. The south coast side face neighbours Brighton this weekend in the third round of the FA Cup. A game in which both new acquisitions could feature.
More great news 👏@Nathaniel_Clyne joins us on loan until the end of the season. Welcome!#afcb 🍒https://t.co/CwDEJg2JJm
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 4, 2019
