Over the past few weeks AFC Bournemouth President of Football Operations Tiago Pinto has overseen a huge turnover of players.
And that’s that for Bournemouth !
7 new players.
13 departures.
£215 million in player sales.
£115 million in purchases.
Exciting, refreshed and dynamic squad packed with talent. Good times.#afcb
— Mark McAdam (@markmcadamtv) September 1, 2025
Not only the big sales of the likes of Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid, Milos Kerkez to Liverpool and Illyia Zabarnyi to Paris Saint-Germain, but also moving on two reportedly higher earners from the club who were unlikely to feature regularly in AFC Bournemouth Head Coach Andoni Iraola’s plans.
Namely Luis Sinisterra and Philip Billing. The first has left on an initial loan deal, but will become permanent, the second has already departed Dean Court for the final time.
There have also been two departures for youngsters, again one on a permanent basis and one on loan, and a third could also be set to depart.
Luis Sinisterra makes the move to Brazilian side Cruzeiro.
He reportedly cost the Cherries in the region of £20million just 18 months ago, but an injury-plagued spell curtailed the 26-year-old’s chances on the south coast.
The move to Brazil, according to Sport Witness, will see AFC Bournemouth recoup a large amount of that fee if certain criteria are met.
The initial loan fee is for €2.5 million. In August 2026, if Sinisterra triggers certain clauses, another €3.5 million will be due. This will reportedly see “50% of his rights” transferred to Cruzeiro.
The other 50% is available for a further €5 million, making the deal worth €11million overall.
The report goes on to add that Pinto’s connections with former Benfica colleagues Joaquim Pinto and Leonardo Jardim helped facilitate the deal.
Confirmed:
Luis Sinisterra joining Cruzeiro on an initial season-long loan.
Loan fee: £2 million.
Obligation price could rise to £10 million.
Wages saved for #afcb (One of the clubs top earners…)
Gannon Doak and Adli replacements for Sini and Ouattara.
🔥
— Mark McAdam (@markmcadamtv) August 22, 2025
Somewhat of a surprise move came when Daniel Adu-Adjei made the permanent switch to Croatian champions, HNK Rijeka.
The 20-year-old has scored goals for fun in the development squad in recent years and impressed many during pre-season with the AFC Bournemouth first team squad.
With all due respect to HNK Rijeka, it’s also not the traditional career path for an upcoming youngster; however, there have also been reports that AFC Bournemouth owner Bill Foley is in talks with the club to add them to the Black Knight Football Club portfolio, which may explain the deal.
Forward Daniel Adu-Adjei has completed a permanent move to Croatian champions, HNK Rijeka.
A key member of our academy over the past few years, the club would like to wish Daniel every success in the next chapter of his career. pic.twitter.com/XiLx9hGjdK
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 26, 2025
Someone else who has benefitted from the Black Knight Football Club portfolio in the past has been Alex Paulsen.
Paulsen was signed by AFC Bournemouth last season, but almost immediately made a return to New Zealand to join Bill Foley’s new franchise club Auckland.
After a successful season he spent pre-season with the Cherries but has now gone out on loan to Lechia Gdansk.
The biggest departure in recent weeks has been that of Philip Billing. The 29-year-old had been with the Cherries since July 2019.
Signed under Eddie Howe, he has seen relegation from the top flight of English football. Played a key role in promotion back to the Premier League under Scott Parker, enjoyed a fantastic season in the Premier League under Gary O’Neil, but limited success under Andoni Iraola.
Last season he spent the second half of the campaign on loan in Italy with Napoli, where he won a Serie A medal.
After over 200 appearances in all competitions, scoring over 30 goals, he made the move back to Denmark to join Danish Superliga side, FC Midtjylland.
Midfielder Philip Billing has completed a permanent transfer to Danish Superliga side, FC Midtjylland.
Everyone at #afcb extends their thanks to Philip for his contributions to the club and wish him the best for the future 🤝 pic.twitter.com/Se2HQudsrY
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 26, 2025
The final deal to be done, despite the transfer window being closed amongst most of Europe, could involve former Chelsea striker Zain Silcott-Duberry.
Silcott-Duberry hasn’t been with the Cherries very long, only joining in January and spent the second half of last season in the AFC Bournemouth development squad, but with the Greek transfer window still open until 12th September, he is reportedly in talks with Olympiacos.
Bournemouth are in advanced talks with Olympiacos over a deal for Zain Silcott-Duberry.
Will be a permanent move for the striker who joined #afcb in Jan from Chelsea.
The 20-year-old is set to travel to Greece on Monday, providing final details are agreed.
(W/@skysports_sheth)
— Mark McAdam (@markmcadamtv) September 6, 2025
Your say…
Herbs posted…
(Sinisterra) was a gamble, and this one didn’t pay off. It’s been well documented that we were targeting apparently injury-prone players to maximise value.
A very talented player and looked brilliant in some games when he came on – similar to Stanislas, both would have had very different legacies here if they could stay fit. – To join the conversation, please click here.
Kirsikka said…
Happy for Billing that he’s found a permanent new home and wish him every success there… except if we meet in a European tie!
A quality player who just didn’t fit to the direction the club took. Never got messy in public about it, got himself a Series A winners medal and will be remembered well by everyone at AFCB.
That’s how you handle leaving a club.
Thanks PB. – To join the conversation, please click here.