AFC BOURNEMOUTH have exceeded “expectations of the football world at-large” this season according to investors Cannae Holdings, which is chaired by Bill Foley.

In December 2023, it was announced that Cannae hold 50.1 per cent of shares in Black Knight Football Entertainment, which in turn owns Cherries.

BKFE also holds minority shareholdings in French club FC Lorient and Scottish side Hibernian.

With two games of the Premier League season remaining, Cherries sit in 10th with 48 points, a new club record points return in a top-flight campaign.

Head coach Andoni Iraola has been recognised for the job done at Vitality Stadium, with the Basque boss nominated for Premier League manager of the season.

According to Cannae, as of May 8, 2024, the company has invested $162million (£129.26m) in BKFE.

A statement to Cannae Holdings shareholders read: “As we approach the end of the first full season we have owned the club, AFC Bournemouth has exceeded both our expectations and the expectations of the football world at-large.

“At the time of our acquisition in December 2022 and prior to the 2023/2024 season, many football analysts predicted the Cherries would struggle to avoid relegation.

“With two matches remaining, the Cherries sit in 10th place out of 20 clubs in the Premier League following a 15th place finish in the prior campaign, and are guaranteed to play in the Premier League for the 2024/2025 season.

“Under Black Knight Football's ownership, AFC Bournemouth already has 48 points this season, the most points the Cherries have ever earned in the Premier League and well above last season's 39 point total.

“Andoni Iraola has been nominated twice for the Premier League manager of the month in the 2023/2024 season and won the award in March 2024, a testament to the significant achievements of the Cherries this season.”

There was also a hint to Cherries’ future plans, with work on the training ground set to be completed “within the next eight months” as well as a focus on attracting talents to Bournemouth’s academy.

“Construction of the Cherries’ new state-of-the-art training facility is expected to be completed within the next eight months and will uplift the club's facilities to be on par or better than the facilities of top clubs in the Premier League.

“With the completion of the training facility, we aim to accelerate the organic growth of the Cherries' talent pool by attracting top young talent to the developmental squad as well as provide a ground for the development squad to train alongside the first-team squad.”