Enes Ünal Rejoins Getafe After Bournemouth Departure

Enes Ünal has left Bournemouth and is heading back to familiar ground in Spain, rejoining Getafe on a free transfer.

The 29-year-old Turkey striker departs the Vitality Stadium with Bournemouth set to bank up to £1.3m in potential bonuses, as well as a 20% sell-on clause should Getafe move him on in the future. Not the fee they once paid, but not a clean break either.

Ünal’s time in England never really caught fire. Injuries repeatedly cut into his rhythm and limited his impact, and he finishes his Cherries spell with 58 appearances and five goals. For a forward signed with clear expectations, those numbers tell their own story.

He first arrived on the south coast in January 2024, joining on loan from Getafe as Bournemouth looked to bolster their attack. The move was made permanent later that year for around £13m, a statement of faith at the time in a player who had impressed in La Liga.

That faith ran into harsh reality. Fitness issues, competition for places and the club’s evolving plans all worked against him. Yet inside the dressing room, Ünal clearly made his mark.

“A popular figure within the squad, Ünal leaves having made a positive contribution both on and off the pitch during his time with the Cherries,” the club said in a statement, adding their thanks and best wishes for the next chapter of his career.

For Bournemouth, this is also a strategic decision. The club have been keen to trim a growing wage bill as they near the end of their summer business, and Ünal’s departure eases some of that pressure while keeping a financial stake in his future.

Attention now turns to the next exit. Bournemouth are working on a move that would allow full-back Max Aarons to leave, another sign that this window is as much about reshaping and rebalancing as it is about new arrivals.