If there’s a theme so far in Bournemouth’s transfer business this summer, it’s shoring up the team’s defense.
Bournemouth announced on Monday that it had acquired holding midfielder Philip Billing on a permanent transfer from Huddersfield Town FC. According to the BBC, Bournemouth paid more than $18.3 million to sign Billing to a five-year contract.
Although he was relegated last season, Bournemouth clearly liked what it saw in Billing, who is also a Denmark Under-21 international. Now, the club will have a chance to pair Billing up in the middle of the park with Jefferson Lerma, which can allow players like David Brooks and Calum Wilson more space ahead on the field.
“I’m delighted to become an AFC Bournemouth player,” Billing said in a statement. “As soon as I heard of the club’s interest, there was never any doubt in my mind.
“It was an easy decision to make to come into a squad which is full of talented, international players and working with a manager of Eddie Howe’s quality.
“This is an exciting step forward for me and I can’t wait to get started.”
Billing becomes Bournemouth’s third signing of the summer, after defenders Lloyd Kelly and Jack Stacey. And while the club sold defender Tyrone Mings to Aston Villa, the reported $24.4 million received by Bournemouth more than paid for Billing.