Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long has joined Championship club Bournemouth on loan from Southampton until the end of the season.
Long has found first-team opportunities difficult to come by at St Mary's this season - he's made just one full appearance in the Premier League campaign - part of 11 appearances in total.
34-year-old Long joins a Cherries side that lies sixth in the Championship, just inside the play-off positions.
The Tipperary native has enjoyed a successful career in English football, with Premier League stints at Reading, West Bromwich Albion, and Hull City logged before his move to Southampton in 2014.
He has scored 55 goals in 331 Premier League appearances and 17 goals in 85 appearances for the national team.
The prospect of first-team football for Long should please Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Luxembourg in March.
The Boys in Green only scored one goal in all of 2020 - and that came from centre-half Shane Duffy against Bulgaria.
Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall says Shane Long's track record will be an addition to the dressing room at the Vitality Stadium.
“I am delighted to bring an attacker of Shane’s experience and quality to the club.
“As well as his undoubted technical ability, Shane’s character, maturity, and leadership skills are something we have been searching for to add to what is a relatively young squad.
“He has played at the highest level for the majority of his career – including the past nine seasons – and we are hoping to bring the best out of him over the coming months as we aim to gain promotion back to the Premier League.”
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