A little over five years ago, AFC Bournemouth signed Lloyd Kelly from Bristol City for a reported fee of £13million. This week, with the conclusion of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, the defender has announced that he will be leaving the south coast this summer on a free transfer following the expiration of his current contract.
The Cherries had attempted to secure Kelly to a new contract, but it always seemed the most likely outcome that with less than 12 months of his contract remaining, he was set to watch his contract expire.
Earlier this season, Kelly was reportedly a target by a whole host of top clubs across Europe, with Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Newcastle United listed as potential suitors alongside Italian Serie A giants AC Milan and Juventus alongside German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.
In recent weeks a reunion with former AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe at Newcastle United appears to be the strongest rumour for the now 25-year-old.
Kelly amassed 141 appearances in all competitions for AFC Bournemouth, including 79 appearances in the Championship where he captained the side to promotion in 2022.
He’s made 54 appearances in the Premier League for the Cherries and has shown that, despite injuries this season, he remains equally adept at both centre-back and left-back.
Kelly released the following statement on Instagram…
“Five years ago, I became a Cherries player and stepped into the Premier League, something I wanted to achieve since the beginning of my career.
“A boy started this journey back in 2019 but now a man is closing this chapter with respect and the values that l hold close.
“Over the years myself and everyone involved with this club has been on a similar journey which has included a lot of happiness and success but on the other hand disappointment and that’s part and parcel of this game.
“Being able to captain this team back into the Premier League will always be one the highlights of my time here.
“It was an honour to lead the boys out every week and be able to say at the end of that season ‘We done what we set out to do’.
“Fast forward to this season and achieving our highest points tally in the Premier League just shows how far we’ve progressed over the years.
“To everyone who I’ve worked with, players, coaches, staff, the board, physios and everyone who makes the club operate.
“I appreciate the love and support that you’ve given me through it all and the relationships formed I’ll always be grateful for.
“To the fans, there has been a lot of speculation around my future at the club and I’ve left it in the background because I still had a job to do.
“One of the values I follow is to finish what you started, so I did that to the level l know it should be.
“I appreciate the support I had over the years and I wish everyone at AFC Bournemouth the best in the future.”
Your say…
kirsikka
Not really a surprise, the writing has been on the wall for this one all season.
It’ll be interesting to see how he gets on further up the food chain with better players around him but more on every mistake. He has all the attributes to be able to do well.
What are the odds that he suddenly gets noticed by Southgate next season?
Johnny Comelately
Shame really because he’s been unfortunate with injuries and also having to play Parker and GON style of football so rarely got the chance to shine. Might’ve been very good under AI’s tutelage but I guess we’ll get to see for sure when he plays for Eddie Howe.
drd
Will be a big miss for us next season IMO. Credit to Lloyd, no downing tools or mysterious buttock injuries. Good luck to him, I really think he’ll play for England when not lumbered by the AFCB connection
hba1
I sincerely wish him well and will follow his career with interest. Thank you Lloyd for all you did for the Cherries.
TrevorMorganFanClub
Great player, who never deserved the abuse he got from some of our alleged supporters.
Good luck Lloyd and as stated by others, hope you get to pull on an England shirt in the future. Dunk has, so every chance if you go to one of the clubs they pick from! – To join the conversation, click here.