Bournemouth's 18-year-old left-back Alfie Merritt has joined Newport on a season-long loan, as the Cherries continue to shape their squad for the new season. Merritt signed his first professional contract with Bournemouth last summer and got a taste of senior football when making 13 appearances for Totton in Southern League Premier South last season. The teenager will now spend the 2026-27 campaign with County in League Two, competing with Tom Davies for the start at left-back. Merritt could make his debut against AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup on Saturday, 8 August (15:00 BST). Merritt is the first signing made since the appointment of Hayden Mullins as manager and the ninth in total. Six players were signed while Christian Fuchs was in the hotseat - Harrison Biggins, Christian Doidge, Cameron Norman, Dan Sassi, Shaquille Gwengwe and Yahya Bamba - and Kyle Cameron and Kieron Evans joined after the Austrian's shock departure. Bournemouth currently sit 6th in the Premier League, 57 points from 38 games, with a recent form of DDWWD. They are 28 points behind leaders Arsenal and have a goal difference of +4. Their last result was a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest on 24 May 2026. They are currently unbeaten in their last 5 games and have a next fixture against Ipswich on 7 November 2026. However, Julián Araujo is currently sidelined.