Bournemouth have announced the signing of Dynamo Kiev defender Ilya Zabarnyi, reportedly on a deal until 2028.
On the back of the club's takeover in December, the Cherries have been attempting to significantly improve their first-team options.
Dango Ouattara and Antoine Semenyo have been brought in from Lorient and Bristol City respectively in an attempt to boost the team's efforts in the final third.
However, Gary O'Neil has always wanted to replicate that effort at the back, and the South Coast outfit have now got another major deal over the line.
Zabarnyi came through Dynamo Kiev's academy ranks and immediately established himself in the first-team fold, making 21 league outings during 2020-21.
The 20-year-old has since gone on to make 89 outings in the first team, with 30 of those matches taking place in European competition.
Signed, sealed, delivered 🍒 pic.twitter.com/KffmWhKONg
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 31, 2023
Such has been his development that 24 caps have already been earned with the Ukraine senior squad, and Zabarnyi is expected to be a mainstay in the middle of his nation's defence in the long term.
Speaking to the club's official website, chief executive Niall Blake said: "We are absolutely delighted to bring Illia to the club and he arrives with a burgeoning CV.
"Despite only being 20, he has played at the highest level for club and country and has established himself as one of the most sought-after young defenders in the world.
"We are very much looking forward to seeing him continue his development with us and know he will be a valued and important member of our squad."
Bournemouth have now made two defensive signings in the space of 24 hours after adding Roma left-back Matias Vina on a loan deal on Monday night.
Darren Plant
