By:
Mark Hendry
Ade Solanke has sealed a dream move to the Premier League with Bournemouth.
The Republic of Ireland teen sensation penned a long-term deal with the Cherries this week.
The youngster was forced to wait until his 18th birthday to make the move.
But that was last Friday and now he has been able to finalise his switch from FC Lorient in France.
Former Shamrock Rovers kid Solanke had come through the Hoops’ academy before making the trip abroad to sign for the Ligue 1 outfit where he performed with their under-19s outfit.
And yet the left-back always knew something bigger would come, which now has.
Ade Solanke swaps FC Lorient for Bournemouth
After agreeing to depart Stade du Moustoir for the Vitality Stadium, Solanke described his move as a “dream”.
“I am over the moon,” the starstruck teen said.
“I feel it’s been a long time coming but I’m delighted to be here, and I can’t wait to get started,” Solanke added when speaking to the club website.
“With AFC Bournemouth being a Premier League club, a move like this is something I’ve dreamt of.
“I am grateful and I thank God, I am really happy.”
Solanke has enjoyed working within the Republic of Ireland youth set ups since he was younger.
In fact the defender has come through the ranks from under-15s right through to the 18s.
He has been capped throughout those four different age groups a combined 30 times and will hope to use his experience to push into the starting XI at Bournemouth’s 21s outfit.
Solanke started four of five under-17s matches as he helped Ireland make the last-16 of the World Cup.
Bournemouth’s link with Lorient bears more fruit
That competition took place as recently as November in Qatar.
In terms of club football it has perhaps been less glitzy.
The player did not feature for Lorient’s first-team.
He made six appearances for the club’s under-19s.
He also turned out four times for their B team which was a step up.
Bournemouth Head of Academy, Sam Gisborne, explained why he was chuffed to land Solanke.
He said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Ade Solanke to the academy.
“He’s someone we’ve been monitoring for a period of time.
“And we believe this is a great environment for him to continue his development.”
Bournemouth have a partnership with FC Lorient and Solanke is another proof of it working.
The Cherries previously snapped up Junior Kroupi back in August when he made his first-team debut.
Kroupi has, at just 19, already made 18 appearances under Andoni Iraola.
And the forward has found the back of the net seven times.
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