Bournemouth did not plan to loan Baylin Johnson out this season, despite sending him to Lecce.

The winger is spending the season in Italy, where he will play for the Serie A club.

He has so-far played three games for the club's Under-19s team against Verona, Sampdoria, and Juventus.

Bournemouth's development squad boss Alan Connell told the Daily Echo: “His agent had mentioned a couple of clubs previously.

“We were open to a loan, just because it was such a unique experience and eventually Lecce came up.

“We like Baylin and the plan was probably to keep him this season, playing in the Professional Development League.

“But then us and Baylin looked at it and thought it's a great opportunity, a new experience for him.

“Like I said to him before he went, he's still our player. We just want him to go and have a great experience and come back a better player."

Connell added: “He's come a long way, Baylin, in the last two-and-a-half years since he's been here.

“We really hope he has a great experience in Italy with Lecce."