AFC Bournemouth left-back Diego Rico has completed his move to Spanish top-tier side Real Sociedad, the Cherries confirmed last night.

Rico, 28, arrived at the Vitality Stadium in 2018 from Leganes on a four-year deal, completing his move whilst Bournemouth were still in the English top flight and making this his first move away from Spain.

However, he only made 12 Premier League appearances in his first season on the south coast, before going on to improve this record and appearing 27 times in the league during the 2019/20 relegation season.

 

 

Although stiff competition limited his number of playing minutes in the Premier League, he was hoping to make a bigger impact in the last campaign with their demotion and Daniels' departure from the Vitality Stadium.

The left-back did appear regularly, playing 32 times for the Cherries in the second tier last season but was unable to guide them back to the Premier League after reaching the play-offs and will now return to Spain on a permanent basis.

28-year-old Rico will be preparing for Sociedad's Europa League campaign after they finished fifth in La Liga last season, in what looks to be a good move for all parties as Bournemouth continue to remove Premier League salaries from their wage bill after the departure of Asmir Begovic to Everton earlier this month.

But after seeing a first-teamer leave the south coast - how do Bournemouth fans feel about this transfer? Happy it might allow manager Scott Parker to bring more reinforcements in? Gutted to see someone of his calibre leave?

We take a look at some of the latest reaction on Twitter.