Bournemouth Are Finally off the Mark in the Transfer Window With Sensible Business

Newly promoted Bournemouth have announced their first summer arrival in the shape of free agent, Ryan Fredericks. He will join the Vitality club on a two-year-long deal after signing a contract with them on Wednesday.

Having been released by West Ham United after his contract expired, it wasn’t apparent if Ryan Fredericks would still be in the Premier League next season. But luckily for him and the Cherries, in a time when the latter is strapped for cash, a free transfer arose.

"AFC Bournemouth have completed the signing of defender Ryan Fredericks on a two-year contract.The experienced full-back will arrive at Vitality Stadium on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract with West Ham United."

It comes as a bit of a surprise that he joins Scott Parker’s side, as he was linked with a return to Fulham or a possible switch to Southampton before making his move to the south coast official. Also, Scott was his former manager at Craven Cottage and the manager he left for West Ham United.

Bournemouth comes in at the right time

Although Fredericks helped Fulham gain promotion to the Premier League after the 2017-2018 season, he soon made the switch from West London to East London and joined West Ham, which was also on a free transfer.

Fulham made multiple attempts to get him to sign a new deal but he had his sights set on the London Stadium. He became Manuel Pellegrini’s first summer addition when the Chilean was in charge of the Irons back in 2018.

He struggled to cement his spot at first and only made 18 appearances (14 starts) across all competitions. But after the sacking of Pellegrini due to a bad run of results, David Moyes stepped in once again and the fullback’s luck changed for the better.

For the next two campaigns as a Hammer, he was a consistent figure by featuring in more games. Sadly with the arrival of Vladimir Coufal and some injury setbacks, he saw his time at the London Stadium run out and his future at the club in doubt.

Added to his selection misery in his final season at West Ham, the new Bournemouth defender found himself behind the rising academy star, Ben Johnson.

West Ham then decided against a new deal for him and now he joins the Cherries and starts a new chapter in his footballing career. Scott Parker is clearly a fan of him despite the surprise in his switch to the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth’s Neill Blake on their first summer arrival:

"I know Scott speaks very highly of his professionalism and character and he’s a talented player that will bolster the squad.Ryan has experience of the biggest games, playing regularly in West Ham’s Europa League run last season and has crucial Premier League experience which will be important to our squad for the upcoming campaign.  (Via: afcb.co.uk)"

The Cherries are far from done with their summer business but the manager has made a statement previously that they will not be doing any major overhauls. Nat Phillips from Liverpool and Marcus Tavernier from Middlesbrough are still on their radar.