Bournemouth are “devastated” – a day after announcing Evanilson’s record signing
Bournemouth have stated they will support Enes Unal “in every way possible” after the Turkey international was their latest long-term attacking absentee.
A day after the Cherries announced that Brazilian striker Evanilson had undergone surgery for a broken foot bone, the club revealed that Unal had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a routine training exercise on Tuesday, adding that she were “devastated”.
Unal, who scored both goals of the season in consecutive Premier League games in December, also missed the first half of Spanish team Getafe’s 2023/24 season due to a cruciate ligament injury.
“Our thoughts are first and foremost with Enes at this moment as he begins to process another important phase of rehabilitation,” the club said in a statement on Wednesday.
“He will undergo surgery to repair the ligament in the coming days and the club’s medical and performance staff will support him in every way possible throughout this period. “We are all behind Enes and will step up if necessary inform his recovery progress.”
We are all with you, Enes 🫂
I wish you all the best for your recovery ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/hkwGvHZrGD
– AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 8, 2025
Unal Bournemouth statistics
The 27-year-old joined Bournemouth on loan from Getafe in January before making the move permanent in May for £13million.
He contributed two goals and two assists in 17 appearances during his loan spell and has played in all 17 of the club’s games since missing the first four games of this season with a broken toe.
This injury prevented Unal from playing in Turkey’s Euro 2024 squad, but he returned and won his 34th cap as a substitute at home against Wales in the Nations League in November.
Your tireless work does not go unnoticed by us, Eva 🇧🇷
All the best for your recovery ❤ pic.twitter.com/naAE6t0RFo
– AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 7, 2025
Bournemouth injuries: Unal, Evanilson are out
Bournemouth have subsequently recalled their only remaining true centre-forward, Daniel Jebbison, from his loan spell at second division club Watford, where the 21-year-old failed to score in 13 appearances.
Justin Kluivert, the top scorer with six goals, was among the strikers in Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Everton when David Brooks scored with 13 minutes remaining and Evanilson was substituted after 82 minutes because of his foot injury.
Evanilson moved from Porto in August for a club record fee of £40.2 million and scored five goals in 19 league games, including 17 starts.
Antoine Semenyo, who also scored five goals, started as part of an attack that also included Dango Ouattara, who scored three goals, and Unal as a substitute.
Bournemouth vs West Brom
Andoni Iraola’s players sit seventh in the table, three points outside the top four, after going a club-record eight games unbeaten in the league.
They next face second division side West Bromwich Albion at home in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday (3pm GMT).
