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Bournemouth's Benik Afobe hits back at 'shocking' Wolves criticism

Benik Afobe has hit back at "shocking" and "hurtful" criticism from senior figures at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The striker left Molineux last month to join Bournemouth in a £10 million deal and has already scored three goals for his new club.

Afobe, 22, signed for Wolves from Arsenal in January 2015 and scored 22 goals in 46 Championship appearances.

Ten of those came in the first half of this season but head of recruitment Kevin Thirlwell accused Afobe of not trying and chief executive Jez Moxey claimed he did not want to play for the club.

Afobe admitted he had asked to leave, but wrote on Twitter: "I wasn't going to comment but this is too shocking and very hurtful. I did my best. It was hard for us all.

"Some people at Wolves are hanging me out to dry to save their own backs but I won't let my reputation be tarnished.

"I scored 10 and was [in the] top five goalscorers in the league before I left and accused of not trying. I'm a pro and wouldn't disrespect my teammates. End of!

"I asked to leave but only because I wanted to play in the Premier League but I never told my team-mates or disrupted the changing room."

Thirlwell was quoted in the Express & Star saying: "Benik was no longer trying to play for us and that was undermining everything we were trying to achieve."

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