Hamed Traorè initially joined AFC Bournemouth on loan from Sassuolo in January 2023 and his stay there was made permanent later that year.
The attacking midfielder struggled for regular minutes at Bournemouth after Andoni Iraola took charge in June 2023.
Bournemouth sent him on loan to Napoli in January 2024 before sanctioning another loan move to AJ Auxerre last summer.
Onze Mondial had a chat with the 25-year-old, where he explained wanting a longer stay with the Cherries.
The Ivor Coast international spent over three years at Sassuolo, but he couldn’t do it at the Premier League side.
“I spent four years at Sassuolo, so I experienced stability,” he said.
“I also wanted to do the same at Bournemouth because my family was happy there, they liked it. I liked the tranquillity there. Afterwards, there were some minor problems, so I had to leave.
“But originally, I left to stay at Bournemouth. The ups and downs have meant that I’ve been on the move a bit, but it’s not a situation I like; I have to play and enjoy myself.”
The player hasn’t provided any details on the minor problems he faced at Bournemouth.
He struggled during his loan spell at Napoli, but things have gone well for him at the Ligue 1 side this season. The Bournemouth man has scored 10 goals and registered two assists from 22 league games for Auxerre.
When asked if having several Ivorians at Auxerre played a role in his loan move, Traorè explained: “It weighed a bit because everyone says that. In Ivory Coast, everyone says that AJA is good for Ivorians. I was aware of that, but then there were other things. There was the call from Assane [Dioussé] during the summer while I was on vacation.
“There was also the call from David [Wantier, in charge of the recruitment department], and from the coach, Christophe Pélissier. They explained the project to me a little, and I was in tune with it. It clicked right away.”
Auxerre head of recruitment David Wantier explained the project to the Ivorian. He was also convinced by his compatriot, Assane Dioussé, who is currently his teammate at the French club.
“I just needed a club where I would feel at home, in a family, and comfortable. In all the clubs I’ve played at, when I felt at home, it worked. When David explained this to me, and Assane too, I said, “This is the right project, let’s go for it,” he added.
Traorè has to return to Bournemouth after this season as Auxerre have no option to retain him.