CHERRIES have announced the signing of Max Aarons from Norwich City.
The highly rated right-back, once wanted by Barcelona, arrives at Vitality Stadium with the experience of 70 Premier League appearances.
In total, he made 213 appearances for Norwich’s first team, making his debut at the age of 18 in the EFL Cup against Stevenage.
23-years-old, Aarons had been set to have a medical with Championship outfit Leeds United on Wednesday, only for Cherries to swoop in at the last minute to tempt him with Premier League football.
Cherries’ south coast rivals Southampton also had a bid accepted, with Aarons turning Saints down to come to Dorset.
This summer, Aarons made four appearances as England lifted the under-21 European Championship, the Young Lions not conceding a single goal throughout the tournament.
It is believed that Cherries will pay an initial £7million for the 23-year-old, potentially rising to £12million with potential add-ons.
Aarons had entered the final 12 months of his contract at Carrow Road and had made it clear that he wanted to move to pastures anew after seven years with Norwich.
The arrival of Aarons closely follows the addition of Alex Scott, who was confirmed as a new Cherry just hours before.
With Adam Smith and Ryan Fredericks both sidelined with injury, it seems likely that Aarons will make his Cherries debut this weekend when West Ham visit the Vitality Stadium.
WHAT HAPPENED? Aarons joins the south coast club for an undisclosed sum thought to be initially worth £9 million ($11m) with potential add-ons to bring the total to £12 million ($15m). Those add-ons are seen to be reachable goals, and Norwich are certain they will earn at least a sizable chunk of that £3m ($4m).
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Norwich who had been operating on a limited budget throughout the summer window, was hoping to cash in on Aarons this summer with just one year left on that contract. Prior to the Cherries hijacking the deal, Aarons had completed his medical with Daniel Farke’s Leeds team. Southampton had also had a bid accepted.
