EDDIE Howe expressed his delight at the signing of Max Gradel and said he felt Cherries had been “fortunate” to have secured the winger’s services.

Boss Howe today finally ended his lengthy pursuit of Gradel when the Ivorian winger penned a four-year deal with the Premier League newcomers.

The signing, which had been expected to be announced yesterday before hitting a paperwork hitch late last night, is still subject to international clearance and Premier League ratification.

A protracted transfer saga reached its conclusion after Cherries had agreed a fee with Gradel’s French club St Etienne – understood by the Daily Echo to have been a knock-down £6million.

Gradel, who scored 17 goals in Ligue 1 last season, worked with Howe when he netted 10 goals in 38 appearances for Cherries during a loan spell from Leicester City in 2007-08.

Howe, who had just taken on his first coaching post under former boss Kevin Bond at the time, had also been linked with a move for Gradel last summer.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Howe, who saw Gradel become the club’s seventh summer signing, said: “I am delighted to have brought someone of Max’s quality and calibre to the football club.

“Having worked with him when I was a young coach and he was a young player, we built up a strong relationship. I have followed his career ever since and never thought I would be fortunate enough to be able to sign him permanently for this club.

“I think it is a real achievement to be able to bring him in and attract him to the club. Hopefully, he will enjoy his second time here.

“He is a great character and someone who has real enthusiasm for the game. When I worked with him before, he always wanted to run, to work hard and to improve.

“He had real ability and was an eye-catching performer. Our supporters took to him straight away and, hopefully, they will do that again. I have no doubts that they will rekindle their love for him.”

Following his loan spell with Cherries, Gradel returned to Leicester to help them win League One in 2009 before going on to star for Leeds as they clinched promotion to the Championship the following season.

He joined St Etienne for an undisclosed fee in August 2011 and has signed for Cherries on the back of his most fruitful season for the French outfit, which saw them finish fifth in the top flight to earn a place in Europa League qualifying.

Gradel has also scored eight goals in 41 appearances for Ivory Coast and featured for his country at the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.

Howe added: “Whenever I have seen him play, he has always maintained that enthusiasm and the ability. To score the number of goals he did in the top league in France was no mean achievement so he is coming here on the back of a very good season.

“We have excellent competition for places and he will only add to that. He is a versatile performer and can play on both wings or as a number nine or number 10. He can fit in anywhere and will give us flexibility in terms of formations.”