Chelsea confirms recall of Nathan Ake from Bournemouth loan

Chelsea has exercised a clause written into Nathan Ake's season-long loan agreement at Bournemouth to recall the 21-year-old defender to Stamford Bridge.

Cherries manager Eddie Howe admitted on Saturday that Ake was likely to return to his parent club, forcing him to enter the January transfer market to seek cover at centre-half.

The Dutchman had to wait until November to make his Bournemouth bow, but then went on to make 12 solid appearances at the back, even contributing three goals of his own.

"AFC Bournemouth would like to thank Nathan for his efforts over the past seven months and wish him well for the future," read a club statement on Sunday.

Back at Chelsea, Ake will try to break up the first-choice defensive trio of Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, and Gary Cahill, while also trying to shoe himself into consideration ahead of John Terry and Kurt Zouma, both of whom are re-establishing match fitness following respective spells on the sidelines.

Ake returns to Chelsea immediately and wasn't selected in Bournemouth's matchday squad for Saturday's 3-0 FA Cup loss at Millwall, putting him in the frame for the Blues' visit from third-tier Peterborough United on Sunday, and the Premier League trip to Leicester City the following Saturday.