Bournemouth have secured the signing of goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic from Chelsea in a deal worth £25 million. The 25-year-old Serbian international, who joined Chelsea in 2023 from MLS side New England Revolution for £14 million, has been a standout performer in recent seasons.
Petrovic spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Ligue 1 club Strasbourg, where he played a pivotal role in their near-European qualification. He made 31 appearances, keeping 10 clean sheets and earning recognition as one of the league's top goalkeepers. His save percentage of 74.5% ranked second in France's top flight, surpassing even Paris Saint-Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma.
At Chelsea, Petrovic was initially the first-choice goalkeeper under Mauricio Pochettino during the latter half of the 2023/24 season. However, he lost his spot to Robert Sanchez following the arrival of Enzo Maresca as manager. Bournemouth, in need of a reliable goalkeeper after loaning Kepa Arrizabalaga last season, identified Petrovic as a prime target.
This transfer marks Bournemouth's most significant investment in a goalkeeper since their promotion to the Premier League in 2015. Petrovic’s arrival comes as the club also parted ways with Mark Travers, who joined Everton earlier this summer.
While Chelsea continue to make headlines with their transfer activities, the sale of Petrovic raises questions about their strategy. The Serbian’s impressive performances in France suggest he could have been a valuable asset for the Blues, especially given Sanchez’s inconsistent form last season. Nevertheless, Maresca has shown faith in Sanchez, who played a crucial role in Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph.
For Bournemouth, Petrovic’s signing is a statement of intent as they aim to strengthen their squad for the upcoming Premier League campaign. His proven track record and consistency make him a key addition to the team’s defensive setup
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