Chelsea Academy Product Solanke Is Bournemouth New Number 9

England U21 striker Dominic Solanke will no longer wear the number 29 jersey at Bournemouth after opting to take the number 9 kit for the forthcoming season.

The Chelsea Academy product joined The Cherries in January 2019 after spending one and a half seasons at European champions Liverpool.

Solanke was pleased to be allocated the jersey number worn by his childhood idols including Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

''Having been a striker all my life, my favourite number is the number nine," he said to Bournemouth's official webpage.

"Growing up, watching great players like R9 (Ronaldo), Ibrahimovic and Benzema to name a few, you always saw top players in that number so I’m delighted to get it.

"I’m really looking forward to the start of the season, I arrived midway through last season so it’s a fresh start for myself and everyone else in the squad.

"With the new number, hopefully I can score goals and make an impact, we’re looking forward to that first game."

Solanke ended last season with ten Premier League appearances for Bournemouth and he's still searching for his first goal.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : afcb.co.uk