Bournemouth have completed the signing of striker Alvaro Rodriguez from Spanish side Elche in a deal worth up to £25.7 million, with the 22-year-old penning a five-year contract at the Vitality Stadium.
The move was confirmed on Rodriguez's birthday, as the Cherries bolster their attack ahead of their first foray into European competition after qualifying for the Europa League.
Rodriguez's background and the deal's details
Rodriguez arrives to complement fellow forward Evanilson, offering Bournemouth a more physical option in attack. He made 34 La Liga appearances for Elche last season, contributing seven goals and five assists.
Real Madrid, who sold Rodriguez to Elche last summer, retain a 50 percent sell-on clause — meaning they will collect half of any future transfer fee the Cherries receive for the Uruguayan.
The striker is eligible to represent both Uruguay, for whose youth sides he has featured, and Spain.
Rose's interest and squad planning
New Bournemouth manager Marco Rose had already identified Rodriguez as a transfer target before taking charge at the club, while Bournemouth's scouting staff had also been monitoring him independently.
The club are understood to have no intention of replacing teenage forward Junior Kroupi, despite reported interest in the youngster from elsewhere. Bournemouth are instead looking to offload Turkey international Enes Unal as they refine their squad for the season ahead.
