AFC Bournemouth
Marcus Tavernier has been rewarded with a new contract following his impressive first season in the Premier League with AFC Bournemouth.
Tavernier netted five goals and supplied four assists in 23 appearances as the Cherries preserved their top-flight status.
The versatile 24-year-old, who signed from Middlesbrough ahead of the start of 2022/23, has agreed fresh terms which will see him commit his long-term future to the club.
AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake said: “Marcus certainly hit the ground running in his first season in the Premier League and showed everybody what an immense talent he is.
“He scored some crucial goals in crucial games and played his part in what was an outstanding team effort from all the players and staff.
“Going forward, we see Marcus having a huge role to play as we look to build on last season’s achievement and make further progress on the pitch.
“Marcus is a valued member of the squad and integrated very quickly here following his move from Middlesbrough. We are delighted he has signed this new contract and look forward to continuing to work with him.”
Tavernier, who would have featured more but for a nagging hamstring injury, made an immediate impact when he was named man of the match on his debut in a 2-0 win against Aston Villa on the opening day of the season.
His five goals included winners in key victories against Wolves and Southampton, while his stunning equaliser in a 2-1 triumph over Fulham in April earned him the Strategic Solutions goal of the season.
Tavernier was also voted player of the season by the club’s Junior Cherries and picked up the Michael Matthews Jewellery player of the month for November as well as being nominated for the award in August, September and April.
He told afcb.co.uk: “Ever since I started playing football as a kid, my dream was to play in the Premier League and I realised that dream here last season.
“The team aim was to stay up and we achieved that fairly comfortably in the end, silencing quite a few people who thought we were certainties to go down.
“From a personal point of view, I was delighted to make my debut in the Premier League and to score my first top-flight goal which came against Leeds, my hometown club.
“I’ve settled here quickly and everybody at the club has made me feel very welcome. I’m delighted to sign a new contract.
“The new owners have ambitious plans for the club and I want to be a part of that going forward so it was an easy decision to make to extend my stay here.”
