Chelsea have confirmed the sale of Djordje Petrovic to AFC Bournemouth for a fee believed to be in the region of £25 million with the Serbian international signing a five-year deal on the South Coast.
From Chelsea Backup to Cherries Starter
Petrović signed for Chelsea from New England Revolution in August 2023, for a reported fee of £12.5million, and he has made 23 appearances in all competitions. He had a short spell as their No.1 and even started in the 2024 FA Cup final, but couldn’t always keep his place in the team under Mauricio Pochettino and then Enzo Maresca, as he was overtaken by Robert Sánchez.
Petrovic had a promising beginning, but he didn’t ultimately join Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad in late 2024 — an indication that he wasn’t part of Maresca’s long-term vision. He got on a better form after joining Strasbourg on loan in January 2025. The Serbian managed 10 clean sheets in 31 appearances, and claimed both Goalkeeper of the Season and Player of the Season.
He had a pre-agreed “gentlemen’s agreement” that he could leave if the right offer came his way — one that Bournemouth did not hesitate to cash in on.
Djordje Petrovic Becomes Bournemouth’s Statement Signing
Bournemouth, coming off a club-best 9th-place Premier League finish, praised Djordje Petrovic as the only possible replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga and Mark Travers. The 24-year-old has “impressive maturity and had proven himself” according to Sporting director Tiago Pinto, with the new signing fitting the club’s eye on the future.
Petrovic is already training with the group and will compete for the No.1 shirt straight away. He declared post move: “I want to grow and play at the highest level and help the team get results.” He could make his debut in Bournemouth’s league opener, at home to Liverpool on August 15.
Chelsea turned a profit of more than a double in under a year — a relative rarity amid seemingly perennial rebuilds. The move is a dramatic leap for Petrovic’s career in the Premier League.
As featured on Chelseanews.com
