Justin Kluivert on Bournemouth’s European and Premier League ambitions

Justin Kluivert says he feels at home at Bournemouth after a career that has taken him through the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, France, Spain and now England.

But while the Dutch forward is enjoying laying down some roots after jet-setting around the continent – he would jump at the chance of exploring Europe with the Cherries next season.

As many as 10 Premier League clubs could qualify for European competitions, external in 2025-26.

And with Andoni Iraola’s side sitting 10th – one point behind eighth-placed Brighton – Bournemouth remain in the hunt with four games to go.

Kluivert, who turns 26 on Monday, has played – and scored – in the top-flight of each of the six countries he has played in. A feat he believes is unique.

“I need to be in the book of Guinness World Records,” the son of Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert tells Football Focus in an interview to be shown on BBC One on Saturday from 12:00 BST.

“I think I am the fjrst player to score in the top six competitions – if Holland is the sixth.”

Romanian striker Florin Raducioiu (1986-2004) and Montenegro’s Stevan Jovetic (2004-) are the only other players to score in the top five leagues of Italy, Germany, France, Spain and England.

Since making his debut for Ajax aged 17, Kluivert has scored goals for Roma, RB Leipzig (loan), Nice (loan) and Valencia (loan).

The forward joined Bournemouth from Roma in a £9.6m deal in June 2023.

Since then the Cherries have set a club record Premier League points tally in back-to-back seasons, are challenging for a place in Europe, and have just opened a state-of-the-art £32m training facility, where this interview is taking place.

“We speak every day about it,” Kluivert says about Bournemouth’s target of playing in Europe for the first time.

“We believe in it and we will go for it 100%.”