AFC Bournemouth
Midfielder Hamed Traorè has become AFC Bournemouth’s sixth signing of a productive January transfer window.
Traorè has joined from Serie A outfit Sassuolo on an initial loan agreement which will become permanent in the summer for a further five years.
His arrival follows hot on the heels of Ukraine international Illia Zabarnyi, who became the club’s first deadline-day addition when he completed his move from Dynamo Kyiv.
A busy period has also seen the Cherries bolster their squad with the signings of Dango Ouattara, Darren Randolph, Antoine Semenyo and Matías Viña.
Traorè, 22, has been capped four times by Ivory Coast and joined Sassuolo in 2021.
AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake told the club website: “Hamed is another exciting prospect and we are delighted to have secured his services.
“He is young, ambitious and one of the hottest talents from Serie A. He fits the profile of the type of player we are looking to recruit and will significantly add to our creative resources.
“After Bill Foley had completed his takeover of the club last month, he said he would be investing in the squad and has certainly done so.
“Hamed’s arrival takes to six the number of new signings we have made this month and the squad is looking strong for the second half of the season.”
Traorè progressed through the ranks at Empoli and made ten appearances as they made an immediate return to Serie A by lifting the Serie B title in 2017/18.
He scored twice in 32 games as Empoli failed to avoid the drop in 2018/19 before moving to Sassuolo.
Traorè bagged 16 goals and 11 assists in 108 league games during his stay at the Mapei Stadium and also made his debut for Ivory Coast while with Sassuolo.
He claimed a runners-up medal at the 2019 Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations before featuring three times in the Elephants’ World Cup qualifying campaign and lining up against Sierra Leone in the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2022.
