Republic of Ireland under-21 international Gavin Kilkenny has signed a new long-term contract with the Premier League club.
The 19-year-old Dubliner has excelled in Stephen Kenny's Irish underage set-up, and promising displays in Bournemouth's underage ranks have earned him a new deal at the Vitality Stadium.
Kilkenny was an under-21 regular with Bournemouth last term, before graduating to the first-team squad during a pre-season trip to Spain in July.
His pre-season friendly performances with the club's senior set-up included a goal against Lyon. Kilkenny was named man-of-the-match in that 3-0 win at the Vitality.
He impressed enough and manager Eddie Howe handed him his competitive first team debut in a Carabao Cup victory over Forest Green Rovers. Kilkenny was then named on the substitutes’ bench in the Premier League for the first time at Tottenham Hotspur just last month.
Operating as a right-winger, the teenage star lined out with St. Kevin's Boys as a youngster in his native Dublin.
What a season this guy has had! 👏
Congratulations, @gavkilkenny10 ✍https://t.co/Q8TFBhmTex— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) December 12, 2019
AFC Bournemouth chief executive, Neill Blake, said Kilkenny had huge potential to carve out a long career with the south coast club.
"I’m delighted that Gavin has signed a new long-term contract at the club.
"He has huge potential and has made real progress over the past six months to become a regular around the first team squad.
"Gavin fully deserved his first team debut earlier this season but this is just the start for him, and we look forward to him continuing his development under Eddie Howe and his coaching staff."
The Cherries currently sit in 15th position in the Premier League table with 16 points from their opening 16 fixtures. They are currently just a point above the relegation zone, with upcoming games in December against Chelsea (away), Burnley (home), Arsenal (home), and Brighton (away).
A notable result from their season so far saw them beat Manchester United 1-0 at the beginning of November, through a Joshua King goal.
