First Team

Career in photos: Nathan Ake

30th Jun 2017

Iain Pearce

Nathan Ake lifts the UEFA Under-17s European Championship trophy for the Netherlands.

Nathan Ake takes on the Germany national team at youth level for the Netherlands.

Juan Mata takes a shot in training for Chelsea, closely followed by Nathan Ake.

Nathan Ake in action for Chelsea against Northampton Town in a friendly.

Nathan Ake in his first Chelsea start, away at Middlesbrough in the FA Cup.

Nathan Ake shakes hands with an opponent from Maribor after a Champions League game.

Nathan Ake in action for Reading during his loan move at the Championship club.

Nathan Ake attempts to lock a Matt Ritchie cross during his loan spell at Watford.

Nathan Ake celebrates his only Watford goal in the 3-0 win over Liverpool.

Nathan Ake in action for Bournemouth in a pre-season friendly with Valencia.

Nathan Ake's first Cherries goal confirmed a 1-0 win over Stoke City in November 2016.

Nathan Ake wheels away after scoring the dramatic winner against Liverpool.

Nathan Ake joins Steve Cook in applauding the AFC Bournemouth supporters.

Nathan Ake challenges Harry Kane in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Nathan Ake wins his second full Netherlands cap in the 5-0 win over Luxembourg.

AFC Bournemouth

From the Netherlands to the Premier League champions and now the Cherries, Ake has packed plenty into his young footballing career.

Flick through the gallery above and see the captions below as we plot the second coming of Ake at Vitality Stadium.

1 – Ake is a two-time winner of the UEFA European Under-17 Championships, and lifted the trophy as captain in Slovenia in 2012.

2 – Throughout his teenage years Ake represented the Netherlands throughout their youth levels, starting out with the under-15s in 2009 and making his way through the age levels to the under-21s.

3 – At age 16, Chelsea moved to bring Ake to England, where he featured in the Blues’ youth team and in first-team training.

4 - Ake also appeared in friendly matches for Chelsea as he climbed the ladder towards the first team, before he made his Premier League debut as a 17-year-old on Boxing Day 2012 against Norwich City.

5 – A month later Ake made his first Chelsea start in an FA Cup tie away at Middlesbrough.

6 - In October 2014, Ake made his Champions League debut against Maribor in a 6-0 home win where he also provided an assist for an Eden Hazard goal.

7 – Ake headed to the Championship for a five-game spell with Reading in January 2015. Chelsea also won the league that season to give the Dutchman a first Premier League-winning medal.

8 – The 2015/16 season saw Ake move to Watford on loan for the season where he would make 24 Premier League appearances, mostly as a left-back.

9 – Ake’s first Premier League goal – and only Watford strike - came in the Hornet’s 3-0 win over Liverpool at Vicarage Road.

10 – Eddie Howe moved to bring Ake to Vitality Stadium in June 2016, the defender making his Cherries debut away at West Ham United from the bench.

11 – A first start came at Stoke City in November and Ake’s header gave Bournemouth their first away win of the season in a 1-0 win.

12 – Ake’s second Cherries goal will never be forgotten; the 22-year-old’s injury-time winner to beat Liverpool in the memorable 4-3 win at Vitality Stadium.

13 – A total of ten Premier League appearances and three goals came in his loan spell with Bournemouth, before Ake was recalled by Chelsea in January 2017.

14 – Largely restricted to cup appearances back at Stamford Bridge, Ake started the FA Cup semi-final win over Tottenham at Wembley.

15 – After winning his first senior cap in a friendly with Morocco, days later Ake's first competitive appearance came in a World Cup qualifying win over Luxemburg on June 9th.