Bournemouth have confirmed the signing of right-back Max Aarons from Norwich City on a long-term contract.
The England Under-21 international has joined the Cherries for an initial £9m, which could reportedly rise to as much as £12m with performance-related add-ons.
Aarons arrives at the Vitality Stadium not long after he was expected to join Leeds United, who had apparently had a bid accepted by Norwich and had scheduled a medical for the right-back.
However, a last-minute Bournemouth approach led to a successful hijack, and Aarons has opted to return to the Premier League with Andoni Iraola's side for the 2023-24 campaign.
"We are thrilled to welcome Max to the club," Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake told the club's official website.
"He's a player who will be an excellent fit in our system, with physical attributes and technical ability that will benefit the team and our style of play. We're looking forward to working with him and we have no doubt that Max is going to prove a great addition to the squad."
Aarons departs Norwich after a seven-year spell at Carrow Road, having also turned out for Luton Town's youth academy between 2009 and 2016 before joining the Canaries.
The 23-year-old made 213 appearances for Norwich's first team, scoring six goals and setting up 17 more to help the Canaries achieve two separate promotions to the Premier League.
Another one through the door 😏 pic.twitter.com/6NNfoQ9NNF
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 10, 2023
Aarons came up with another one goal and two assists from 45 appearances in the 2022-23 Championship season, before helping England win the Under-21 European Championship title.
The defender had previously earned links with the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich, while Barcelona supposedly failed with two bids for Aarons in the summer of 2020.
"We're of course disappointed to lose Max, but once a Premier League club matched our valuation we couldn't stand in his way," Norwich sporting director Stuart Webber told the Canaries website.
"Max, since the moment he made his debut against Stevenage in 2018, has been top class, both as a player and a person. He's our current highest appearance holder, has won two titles and, most recently, a major tournament for his country.
"It hasn't always been easy for Max with constant speculation that has surrounded his future, but it speaks volumes for him, that he's always got on with the job of representing Norwich City to the best of his ability. We all wish Max and his family well and look forward to welcoming him back in the future."
Aarons becomes Bournemouth's second signing of the day, following countryman Alex Scott to the Vitality Stadium, while Milos Kerkez, Ionut Radu, Romain Faivre and Justin Kluivert have also joined the Cherries this summer.
Aarons could make his debut for Iraola's side in their Premier League opener at home to West Ham United on Saturday afternoon.
Ben Knapton
