Atsu joins Bournemouth pre-season training today

Ghana winger Christian Atsu will join his new Bournemouth for the first time today as they step up their English Premier League preparations.

The youngster, who is on a season-long loan from Chelsea, left Accra last night to join his new team-mates as they begin their preparations for the upcoming season.

The Cherries have started their preparations for the season but Atsu’s involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritius last month prompted an extended holiday for the Ghana international.

He will start training with his new team-mates on Thursday.

The 23-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge from Porto in September 2013 and has been loaned out to Vitesse Arnhem and, most recently, Everton.

A deal was struck with Bournemouth last month that will see Atsu continue his development at the Goldsands Stadium next season, subject to Premier League approval.

The winger has already collected nearly 40 caps for Ghana and was named player of the tournament at this year’s African Nations Cup.

Atsu will be ineligible to face parent club Chelsea next term and Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe believes the newly promoted side have pulled off quite the coup.

“I think he is a player, although he is a younger player, he is a player with outstanding experience when you look at the career he has had,” Howe said “He has had a lot thrown at him – Porto, Vitesse, Chelsea, on the international stage – and he’s done very well on the international stage as well.

“We are loaning a player of huge potential, again we had to fight off several other Premier League clubs to get him, so we are very, very pleased.

“I think he will bring pace and ability to beat a man one-v-one which is very important in the Premier League, so for all those reasons I think he is a great signing for us.”