Town and AFC Bournemouth have confirmed that Blues left-back Tyrone Mings has joined the Cherries in a deal worth an initial £8 million - potentially rising to £10 million - with winger Ryan Fraser moving in the opposite direction on a season-long loan. Mings, 22, has signed a four-year contract at Dean Court.
TWTD understands that in addition to the initial £8 million - the majority of which will be paid up front and the rest in instalments - the overall fee could ultimately increase to £10 million once top-up clauses - likely to relate to appearances and future international recognition - are triggered. The deal also includes a sell-on.
Mings told Bournemouth's Cherries Player that working with manager Eddie Howe and his assistant Jason Tindall will help him to progress as a player: "I’m looking forward to learning from the manager’s ideas.
"They will be different to what I’m used to but that can only be a good thing. I’m here to develop and learn as much as possible."
He added: "The team’s style was different to anyone else’s in the league. That probably goes back to how in-depth the manager is with everything he does and the group of players he has.
"They can pull off what he wants them to do — they are well organised and play good football as everyone saw last season.
"The manager has spoken to me about it and it may be a culture shock to what I was used to.
"It wasn’t as easy on the eye I guess, but I worked over 46 games and got Ipswich into the play-offs.
"To learn off Eddie and Jason though is something I’m really looking forward to.â€
Want to start by saying a massive thankyou to all at @Official_ITFC - the management, fans, players and staff for all they've done for me 💙– Tyrone Mings (@OfficialTM_3) June 26, 2015
Very hard decision to make because the management and club have given me the opportunity and support from non league #itfc– Tyrone Mings (@OfficialTM_3) June 26, 2015
A dream come true to reach the premiership, so excited to get started with @afcbournemouth and over the moon to have joined them.– Tyrone Mings (@OfficialTM_3) June 26, 2015
I hope @Official_ITFC get the promotion that everyone associated with the club deserves, under a great, great manager 😢💙 #itfc– Tyrone Mings (@OfficialTM_3) June 26, 2015
Howe believes he is buying someone with a big future: "We are signing a player of huge potential.
"We believe he has everything required to be a success in the Premier League.
"He’s a good age as well and I think there’s a lot of scope for him to improve.
"He’s been linked with Premier League clubs for a long time now and is very highly regarded for his performances for Ipswich. Albeit for a short period of time, he has shown great promise.
"He fits the mould we are looking for — young, progressive, ambitious and wants to improve.
"Hopefully it will be a successful period for us coming up and he can be a big part of that.â€
VIDEO: @OfficialTM_3 is ready to get started at #afcb: http://t.co/yTKUeqNAJi
https://t.co/wMtvqa25h5– AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) June 26, 2015
Bournemouth made their bid for the Blues’ £10,000 December 2012 signing from non-league Chippenham on Wednesday with Mings making the trip down to the south coast for talks later that evening before undergoing a medical and agreeing terms yesterday.
In total, Mings, who was watched regularly by scouts from most Premier League clubs, including the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea last season, made 49 starts and 15 sub appearances for the Blues, scoring once.
Earlier in the summer, Town manager Mick McCarthy and owner Marcus Evans both said that they were determined to keep hold of the Blues' key players this summer, however, with the Blues' spending power again limited by the Championship’s Financial Fair Play rules, selling a player for a big fee will give McCarthy far greater scope as he looks to strengthen ahead of the 2015/16 campaign.
Fraser, who has represented Scotland at U19 and U21 levels, started his career with hometown club Aberdeen before joining the Cherries in a £400,000 deal in January 2013.
Last season the 5ft 4in tall midfielder - who is right-footed but has tended to operate more often on the left - made 11 starts and 16 sub appearances and scored two goals as Bournemouth won the Championship title. He is currently contracted until the end of June 2016 but the Cherries are expected to offer him new terms in the near future. Given his age, even if he doesn’t sign that deal and joins another club on a permanent basis next summer, compensation would be due to Bournemouth. As with all season-long loans there is no recall provision, however, Town would have the option to end the loan early in January if they wish to do so. The Blues are also expected to complete the signing of Cherries striker Brett Pitman in a separate deal this afternoon, while Arsenal youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles is set to join up with the club for the start of pre-season training on Monday with the paperwork relating to his season-loan loan all but done.What to read next:
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Hull City manager Liam Rosenior said he couldn’t have been prouder of his players following last night’s 3-3 draw with Town which keeps the Tigers hopes of making the play-offs alive going into their final match and wished the Blues well for the remainder of the campaign.
Highlights of yesterday’s 3-3 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
Town midfielder Massimo Luongo says the squad are enjoying the ride of playing in high pressure games as the Blues moved a point closer to the Premier League following a pulsating 3-3 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
Town boss Kieran McKenna says left-back Leif Davis was limping heavily following tonight’s 3-3 draw at Hull City.
Town boss Kieran McKenna reflected on the wonderful position his side is in following tonight’s 3-3 draw at Hull City.
Town moved level on points with second-placed Leeds United following a pulsating 3-3 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium having been in front three times. Returning striker George Hirst put the Blues in front in the 19th minute but the Tigers levelled on 40 through Ozan Tufan before Omari Hutchinson put Town back ahead with the first of two brilliant goals. However, Hull equalised again through Liam Delap in the 56th minute, then Hutchinson’s second put the Blues ahead again, however, Tigers sub Noah Ohio grabbed a point for the East Yorkshire side with three minutes remaining and the Blues were unable to take late chances to win it.
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Goals from George Hirst and Omari Hutchinson have given Town a 2-1 half-time lead over Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
George Hirst and Wes Burns both start for the Blues in this evening’s live-on-Sky game at Hull City.