BOURNEMOUTH, England — On Friday, Premier League team Bournemouth secured the talents of 18-year-old American defender Matai Akinmboni, who previously played for DC United.

Akinmboni, a center back, made his debut in Major League Soccer (MLS) when he was just 15 years old. His new contract with Bournemouth is long-term, although specific financial details regarding the transfer have not been publicly disclosed.

Bournemouth’s first-team technical director, Simon Francis, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “He is an exciting young player we have been monitoring for an extended period and have been impressed by his progress. Matai is a player we believe has a very bright future and we are looking forward to seeing him develop with us.”

Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall, the Maryland native has played for the U.S. at various youth levels. Akinmboni joined DC United on a homegrown contract in August 2022, after gaining experience with affiliate Loudoun United.

His debut at DC United came when he was just 15 years and 328 days old, making him the sixth youngest player to ever appear in an MLS match, as noted by his former team. In total, Akinmboni has made 17 appearances, with 10 of those occurring in the current 2024 season.

DC United announced on Friday that Bournemouth will pay an undisclosed transfer fee along with potential performance-based add-ons. Additionally, they will retain a portion of any future transfer fees pertaining to Akinmboni.

Notably, U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams is currently in his second season with Bournemouth, which may provide Akinmboni with a familiar connection as he transitions to the Premier League.