AFC Bournemouth has officially announced the signing of 19-year-old left-back Julio Soler from Lanus, marking the club's second addition of the January transfer window. The transaction, made public on January 7, 2025, has excited both fans and management alike, as this young Argentine talent aims to make his mark in the English Premier League.
Soler, who has signed a long-term contract with Bournemouth, joins the club for an initial fee of approximately £6.6 million, which could rise to about £11.5 million based on performance-related add-ons. This follows another recent acquisition, 18-year-old defender Matai Akinmboni, showcasing the club’s commitment to bolstering its youth-focused squad.
President of football operations, Tiago Pinto, expressed his enthusiasm for the new signing: “We are delighted to welcome Julio to AFC Bournemouth. He is someone we have monitored closely and have been extremely impressed by his progress.”
The technical director, Simon Francis, added, “Julio is another talented young player who arrives highly sought after, and we are pleased to have added him to our squad. With the way Andoni and his staff improve exciting prospects, we look forward to seeing Julio’s progress with us.”
Born on February 16, 2005, Soler’s footballing roots began in Paraguay, but he moved to Argentina at a young age. He joined Lanus at only nine years old and has made significant strides through their academy. After becoming part of their first team, he made 58 appearances since debuting back in 2022, including 43 during the past season alone. Soler has been known for his pace and dynamic style of play, proving to be a formidable presence on the left flank.
Soler's international experience is particularly noteworthy; he has captained Argentina at the Under-20 level and recently participated as part of the Under-23 squad at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he played four matches, contributing one assist. Although yet to earn his first cap for the senior national team, he was named on the bench during two recent World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia.
His signing is set against the backdrop of Bournemouth's strategy to invest heavily in youth talent, reflected also by the presence of other young defenders like Akinmboni and Dean Huijsen, both of whom are 19, alongside Milos Kerkez, who at 21 continues to perform strongly for the Cherries.
With Soler now integrated, attention turns to how his arrival will impact the current squad dynamics, particularly for Milos Kerkez, who has established himself as the main left-back since transferring from AZ Alkmaar. The growing roster of young defenders puts Bournemouth in good stead for the future, as they adapt to the challenges of the Premier League.
Looking forward, fans can anticipate the potential debut of Soler during the FA Cup third-round match against West Bromwich Albion. Following this, the Cherries will play against Chelsea, providing Soler with his first taste of Premier League football.
Overall, Julio Soler’s transfer exemplifies AFC Bournemouth’s strategic aim to blend youthful energy with developing talent, paving the way for potentially exciting prospects on the field as the season progresses. The excitement surrounding his transition serves both as hope and anticipation for the Cherries’ fanbase as they await what is next for their newly unveiled defender.