Bournemouth midfielder Billing joins Napoli on loan

Bournemouth's Denmark midfielder Philip Billing has joined Serie A side Napoli on loan until the end of the season.

Billing, 28, has featured in just 10 games for the Cherries this season, making one start.

The Danish international, who has five caps, joined the Cherries from Huddersfield in July 2019 and has since made 201 appearances for the club.

He was a key figure in their promotion from the Championship, scoring 10 goals and registering 10 assists in the 2021-22 campaign.

Billing joins a Napoli side, managed by former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Antonio Conte, currently locked in a three-way title battle with Inter Milan and Atalanta.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, are seventh in the Premier League, just three points off the top four.

The Cherries have signed two defenders this month - USA Under-20 centre-back Matai Akinmboni, 18, and Paraguay-born Argentine left-back Julio Soler, 19, while manager Andoni Iraola has recalled striker Daniel Jebbison from his loan at Watford following long-term injuries to forwards Evanilson and Enes Unal.