FORMER Cherry Steve Cook described the impending departure of his ex-teammate Lloyd Kelly as a “huge loss” for AFC Bournemouth despite it feeling “inevitable”.

After confirming his departure from Vitality Stadium last month, Kelly has reportedly agreed a five-year deal with Newcastle United.

Currently with QPR, Cook shared a field 40 times with Kelly, and believes that the timing is right for the younger defender to make the step up to a bigger club.

Cook told BBC Radio Solent: “I think from a Bournemouth point of view, it’s really disappointing to lose a quality player like Lloydy.

“He’s physically excellent, lovely footballer, knows the football club as well. It’s a shame, especially on a free.

“I think it was inevitable, after the bid from Tottenham. Obviously it didn’t materialise, but I think it was inevitable.

“I think it’s a huge loss for Bournemouth, and a great signing for Newcastle.

“He’s physically amazing, he’s extremely fast, a specimen of a man. Technically he’s a very good footballer – he can play centre-half in a back four, left centre-half in a back five, and left-back, so he’s very versatile, at such a young age as well.

“Newcastle are getting a great player and Bournemouth are obviously losing one. It’s exciting for Lloyd going to such a huge club with Newcastle.

“I think probably the stature of club, bournemouth will eventually get there, they’ve got great plans for the training ground and the stadium.

But I think that Newcastle, where they’re aiming – they just missed out on Europe this year, but making finals and playing in Europe quite recently is a massive pull.

“Lloyd probably thinks that if he was to sign at Bournemouth, it would be very difficult to leave, they’d be wanting a huge fee.

“The timing for him, he can leave on a free and go to a huge club, test himself pushing for Champions League football.”

Kelly’s move to Newcastle will see him reunite with Eddie Howe, the legendary Cherries boss having brought the 25-year-old to AFC Bournemouth in 2019.

“He’s joining a manager and a coaching staff that he knows extremely well, who will take his game to the next level,” continued Cook.

“I’d see it probably as unfinished business, with COVID hitting when Lloydy had just signed, with Eddie leaving when we got relegated.”

Cook also felt that the criticism Kelly had received over the years might have played a part in his decision to leave.

“Over the seasons, Lloyd has had a bit of criticism from the Bournemouth fans as well. That stays with you.

“If you compare Tommy Elphick, the captain in the 2015 season taking us up, to Lloydy captaining, it’s worlds apart.

“Any captain that gets booed at home, it’s not going to sit too nicely. I don’t think it will have a massive say, but I think it will have disappointed Lloyd.

“Now he’s been offered a way out, he’s accepted that and gone on. I think he’s been a great servant for the club.

“He’s had a lot of up and downs at the club, relegation, being captain, having the captaincy taken off him.

“I think if you ask anyone in the club, no one would give you a bad word, with how professional he is.”