Enes Ünal Returns to Getafe After Bournemouth Spell

Enes Ünal has ended his spell at Bournemouth and returned to familiar ground with a free transfer back to Getafe.

The Turkey international, 29, departs the Vitality Stadium at no initial cost, but the deal is far from a clean break. Bournemouth have secured up to £1.3m in potential bonuses and a 20% sell-on clause, protecting themselves if Ünal rediscovers his best form in La Liga and earns another move.

His time on the south coast never truly caught fire. Injuries stalked him throughout his stay, limiting rhythm and impact. Across 58 appearances for the Cherries, he managed five goals – a modest return for a player who arrived with a reputation as a reliable scorer in Spain.

Bournemouth first brought Ünal in on loan from Getafe in January 2024, then doubled down on the move by making it permanent later that year for around £13m. It was a significant outlay, and expectations followed. Fitness issues and competition for places meant those expectations were never fully met.

Inside the dressing room, though, the picture was different. The club described him as “a popular figure within the squad” and highlighted his “positive contribution both on and off the pitch” in a statement confirming his departure. Bournemouth added their thanks for his efforts and wished him “every success for the future.”

The decision also speaks to Bournemouth’s wider summer strategy. With the club keen to trim the wage bill and fine-tune the squad, Ünal’s exit eases the financial load and opens up space in attack. The reshaping is not finished either. Bournemouth, who are close to wrapping up their main transfer business for the window, are now working on a move that would see full-back Max Aarons leave the club.

Ünal, back at a club where he previously thrived, gets a fresh start. Bournemouth move on with a leaner squad and money banked for tomorrow.