Nathaniel Clyne has joined AFC Bournemouth on loan from Liverpool for the remainder of the Premier League season.
The English right-back has only made five appearances in all competitions for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season following a spell of injuries the limited his involvement at Anfield.
Clyne attracted interest from several Premier League club when Liverpool made his available for loan at the start of the window, including Cardiff City.
However, a conversation with Eddie Howe convinced him to join his Liverpool teammate Dominic Solanke at Bouremouth.
“I’m really excited by this opportunity. It’s great chance for me to come and play football," Clyne told afcTV.
“I’ve spoken to the manager and we’ve talked about what we can achieve for the remainder of the season. It’s a great club with a great story. I can’t wait to get going.”
Howe said he is looking for Clyne's experience to be a boost to the his squad following Simon Francis' long-term injury. “Nathaniel is vastly experienced and has the benefit of being able to play in a couple of positions for us," he said.
“With Simon Francis’ injury we felt it was important to bring someone in capable of filling that void, and it’s great to have Nathaniel on board.
“Naturally, he wants to play football and is very keen to bring his attributes to the team. We’re excited about what he can deliver for us.”
Neil Warnock, who worked with Clyne at Crystal Palace, admitted interested in the defender, citing Cardiff being an “appealing place”.
“We’ve spoken to Liverpool early on in the window but he’s their player and he’ll decide,” said Warnock. “I’ve always liked Nathaniel and we are looking at that position, but that would fill our loans up and mean we can’t sign a striker.
Meanwhile, Eddie Howe believes Jermain Defoe’s spell at Bournemouth has paid off as the experienced striker closes in on an 18-month loan move to Rangers.
Defoe joined the south-coast side in 2017 on a free transfer from Sunderland but has only scored four times in his 34 appearances for Bournemouth.
“This deal has been a good one from our perspective. I would do it again in a heartbeat,” said Howe. “He scored some massive goals for us last season, I don’t think anyone should forget that.
Then you add the other value in brings in the changing room and one the training pitch. He’s been a role model for a lot of our younger players.”
