Yahoo News ‘Strategic plan’ - Cherries tie talented winger Dacosta Gonzalez down to new contract
CHERRIES have tied down talented winger Michael Dacosta Gonzalez to a new long-term contract.
The 19-year-old, a key player for the club’s development squad, has penned a deal keeping him at the club until the summer of 2027.
The Spaniard has often trained with Cherries’ first team in recent years, but is yet to make his competitive debut for the club, named an unused substitute for five Premier League matches.
Discussing Dacosta Gonzalez’s new deal, development squad boss Alan Connell told the club’s website: “We are delighted that Michael has signed a new long-term contract.
“He’s a young player who has been at the club for a number of years. He has huge potential that we are starting to see.
“He still has a long way to go but it’s part of our strategic plan to tie down our best young players and we are delighted to get Michael to commit his future to us.”
Alicante-born Dacosta Gonzalez moved to England aged seven, joining Cherries four years later. His younger brother Malcom is also on the books in Cherries’ academy.
Last season, Michael was called up for two training camps with Spain’s under-19s.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to sign a contract at this club,” Dacosta Gonzalez said.
“I’ve been here since I was 11 and the club is only going one way and that’s up. I’m really pleased and, hopefully, I can go all the way.
“I’m happy for myself but I’m mostly happy for my mum because I couldn’t have done it without her. Me, my mum and everyone is really happy.
“I’m extremely excited and I’ve got a lot of emotions running through me because I really want to do well for this club.
“I hope this isn’t the last long-term contract I get offered by this club and hope I can just keep going all the way. Playing for this club in the Premier League is the dream.
“The club is amazing. The whole philosophy of the club I’m in love with.”
