On winter deadline day, AFC Bournemouth completed the signing of Eli Junior Kroupi and sent him back on loan to FC Lorient until the end of this season.
Two months ago, the striker stated he wanted to finish the season at the Ligue 2 side and help them return to the top division. Since Bournemouth agreed to this condition, the 18-year-old decided to join them.
The incoming Bournemouth player has been one of the stars for Lorient this season as he scored 20 goals and registered three assists from 28 games. At the weekend, he scored his third consecutive brace in his side’s 2-1 win over EA Guingamp.
After the tie, Lorient manager Olivier Pantaloni expressed his joy over having a talent like Eli Junior Kroupi at his disposal and Ouest-France have relayed his comments.
“That’s talent speaking. Junior is a player who masters his movement as well as his technical skills and finishing, which is quite rare in football. He has shone once again,” he said.
The France U19 international graduated from the Ligue 2 side’s youth system and made his way into their first team in 2023. He played over 1,150 minutes from 30 games last season and has been a regular this season.
Pantaloni was honest in admitting that he was surprised that the forward hasn’t struggled, especially after securing a future move to Bournemouth.
“He always surprises me. Because you might have thought that with this first full season for him, he might have experienced a slowdown. Especially since he signed in England, and he could have finished the season in a freewheeling mood, enjoying himself more on a personal level than on a team level. But you can see that he’s truly putting himself at the service of the team. He’s a truly indispensable player for FC Lorient, and it’s a privilege to have him in the squad,” Pantaloni explained.
Lorient are leading the Ligue 2 table, three points ahead of second placed Paris FC. Eli Junior Kroupi can help them secure a promotion before moving to Bournemouth.
