Bournemouth have announced the signing of Djordje Petrovic from Chelsea for £25 million, with the Serbian international agreeing to a five-year contract at the Vitality Stadium.
The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at Strasbourg, where he was a standout performer, helping the French side to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1 and qualification for the Europa Conference League. His impressive performances earned him the club’s Player of the Season award.
From Chelsea No.1 to South Coast Move
Despite making 23 appearances for Chelsea during the 2023-24 season and briefly taking over the No.1 role under Mauricio Pochettino, Petrovic was loaned out to Strasbourg amid concerns about his ability to play out from the back – a key part of Chelsea’s tactical setup.
While his passing statistics didn’t see major improvement in France, Petrovic’s distribution accuracy still ranked higher than Chelsea’s current No.1, Robert Sanchez. Backup goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen also posted more consistent numbers than both.
However, where Petrovic truly shone was in shot-stopping. According to the xGOT (expected goals on target) model, he saved nearly 10 more goals than an average goalkeeper would have been expected to – the sixth-best figure across Europe’s top five leagues last season.
Golden Glove or Golden Exit?
Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez, meanwhile, remains likely to hold onto the starting spot after helping the Blues lift the FIFA Club World Cup, where he earned the Golden Glove award for his standout performances, including decisive saves in the final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite occasional inconsistencies, Chelsea appear content with Sanchez as their first choice heading into the new season.
Petrovic Eager to Grow at Bournemouth
Speaking after the announcement, Petrovic expressed his ambitions with the Cherries:
“I came to Bournemouth because I want to grow and compete at the highest level. With the facilities and vision here, I believe we can achieve great things. I want to help the team improve and push myself to become a better player every day.”
The Serbian becomes Bournemouth’s third signing of the summer window and replaces former Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who joined Arsenal in a £5 million deal earlier this month.
Kepa had briefly filled in for Neto at Arsenal, who was on loan from Bournemouth during the 2024-25 season, but has since returned to the south coast with his future unresolved.
From MLS to National Hero
Petrovic’s rise has been remarkable. After moving from New England Revolution in 2023 for £14 million, he remained a lesser-known figure in Serbian football circles. Prior to his move to the U.S., he played for Cukaricki, a modest club in Belgrade.
However, his performances in Ligue 1 and recent call-ups to the Serbia national team — where he now boasts seven international caps — have catapulted him to prominence.
He notably saved a crucial penalty in a politically tense World Cup qualifier against Albania, earning praise and admiration back home. Some sections of the media in Germany even compared his attributes — height, reflexes, and footwork — to those of legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
With his combination of athleticism, shot-stopping prowess, and aerial command, Petrovic arrives at Bournemouth as the most expensive Serbian goalkeeper in history, and a player ready to make his mark in the Premier League.