Bournemouth announce £21m signing nearly two weeks after transfer window closes

Bournemouth have confirmed the permanent signing of Alex Jimenez.

Jimenez moved to the Cherries on loan from AC Milan over the summer with a conditional obligation to buy.

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The south coast side triggered the clause when he started against Aston Villa on Saturday.

The welcome of the Villa saw Jimenez start his 17th league game for Bournemouth this season, while he has made a further four appearances off the bench.

And it meant the 20-year-old has started, or played at least 45 minutes, in 50 per cent of league games he has been available for.

As such, Bournemouth wrapped up the £21m permanent signing of Jimenez this week – with the Cherries paying an initial £16.8m and the rest in possible add-ons.

Jimenez played 86 minutes of Bournemouth’s draw with Villa on Saturday afternoon.

He also played the full 90 minutes of the 2-1 win over Everton on Tuesday.

In a statement, the club said: “AFC Bournemouth can confirm that Alex Jiménez has completed a permanent move to the club, having met the appearance threshold required to activate the transfer clause following an initial loan.

“The 20-year-old, who joined the Cherries ahead of the current season, has now featured in more than half of the club’s competitive fixtures, triggering the terms that secure his future until 2031 on the south coast.”

AFC Bournemouth’s president of football operations, Tiago Pinto, said: “Alex is a young talent, who has already demonstrated his energy and commitment to the squad during these opening months with the club.

“He has incredible pedigree, having begun his development at both Real Madrid and AC Milan. We’re delighted to have him as part of our project, which began last summer and now continues after the obligation was triggered.”

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Jimenez recently scored his first ever Bournemouth goal in the 3-2 win over Liverpool last month.

The Spaniard has gone on to become a fan favourite on the south coast having taken on the right-back role for Andoni Iraola’s side with ease.

Jimenez came through the Real Madrid ranks before moving to AC Milan permanently in 2024.

The young defender made just 14 league starts for the Italian side before leaving Milan for Bournemouth over the summer.