This week in transfers: Cherries and QPR busy passing one another by
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Cup finals at home and abroad apart, the season is over. That means Coral football experts have slipped seamlessly into transfer mode, and here we round up the headline moves from this last week of May.
Bournemouth bag Boruc, Federici, King and Atsu
Eddie Howe is looking to make hay while the sun is shining after steering the Cherries into the Premier League. Despite this historic promotion for Bournemouth, they are 5/4 chances to be relegated next season straight back into the Championship.
On-loan Poland goalkeeper Artur Boruc, now 35, has made his move to Dean Court permanent following a successful spell there, and despite Southampton being without injured number one Fraser Forster for the rest of 2015.
Competition for a starting spot in nets next term will come from another Cherries keeper acquisition in Australian stopper Adam Federici, who has left Reading after a decade. Both he and Boruc join on free transfers.
REACTION: Eddie Howe is pleased to give Joshua King a @premierleague platform at #afcb: http://t.co/wZujCsUiSX pic.twitter.com/rBGUyvp5UO
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) May 28, 2015
Norway forward Josh King has also made a move to Bournemouth on a Bosman from Blackburn Rovers. The Manchester United academy product could be the first of many attacking options to leave Ewood Park this summer, as Gary Bowyer is operating under a transfer embargo due to failure to meet Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
Maybe there will be two signed in every position by the Cherries, after Ghana attacker Christian Atsu also linked up with Howe’s men on a season-long loan from Chelsea:
BREAKING: #afcb sign @ChristianAtsu20 on loan from #cfc, subject to @premierleague approval: http://t.co/d71EXwL3SG pic.twitter.com/ypKkbEpfqS
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) May 29, 2015
Gladwin and Luongo swap Swindon for QPR
Mark Cooper is already counting the cost of Swindon Town’s failure to get promoted from League One, with key midfield duo Ben Gladwin and Massimo Luongo leaving the West Country for west London club QPR for undisclosed fees.
This is the start of what appears to be a squad overhaul by Hoops coach Chris Ramsey as several senior players that failed to perform were released from Loftus Road this week.
Rated 3/1 promotion chances from next season’s Championship, QPR are getting a player of real pedigree in Luongo, with the Australia international, 22, scoring for the Socceroos in their Asian Cup final win earlier this year.
While Ramsey has previously worked with Luongo in the youth team set-up at Tottenham, fellow 22-year-old Gladwin reaches second-tier level after starting his career in non-league.
Spurs onto a Wimmer
Tottenham, 5/1 Premier League top four chances for next term, have landed reported long-time target and Austria defender Kevin Wimmer on a five-year contract from Cologone.
Stoke swoop for goalie Haugaard
Jakob's Joy At Sealing City Switch: Haugaard shares his delight at Stoke move – http://t.co/V2MKFohkR8 #scfc pic.twitter.com/agI2FucRyY
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 27, 2015
With Thomas Sorensen retiring, Stoke City have secured a replacement in fellow Danish goalie Jakob Haugaard from FC Midtjylland for an undisclosed fee. The 23-year-old has penned a three-year contract with the Potters and will compete with Asmir Begovic and Jack Butland for a starting spot.
Norwich net permanent Dorrans deal
And finally, Norwich City, even-money chances to be relegated from the Premier League next season, have completed the permanent signing of West Bromwich Albion midfielder Graham Dorrans, handing him a two-year contract at Carrow Road.
