DEAN Court old boy Danny Hollands has given Cherries’ new signing Yann Kermorgant a glowing reference, hailing the striker as “a great all-rounder”.

Hollands, who spent five years with Cherries, said Kermorgant had been “a big player” for Charlton and expressed his surprise at the Frenchman being allowed to leave.

The former Cherries captain played alongside Kermorgant in their respective first seasons at the Valley, the pair starring as the Addicks romped to the League One title in 2012.

Kermorgant, 32, completed a £400,000 move from Charlton on deadline day before making his debut as a second-half substitute during Cherries’ 1-0 defeat by Leicester.

Hollands, who made 219 appearances for Cherries and was voted supporters’ player of the year in 2008, told the Daily Echo: “Yann is a very good pro and it is a great signing for Bournemouth.

“I heard he could be going a couple of days before it was done and was surprised because I didn’t think Charlton would let him go. He was a big player here, I know the manager really liked him and I thought it would have taken a lot more to get him away from the club.”

Kermorgant, who netted 12 times in Charlton’s promotion campaign, including the only goal in a 1-0 win at Dean Court in March 2012, revealed he had sounded out Hollands before joining Cherries.

“He had already spoken to Eddie and had been very impressed so didn’t need to ask me too much,” said Hollands. “I said he was the best manager I had worked under. He knows his stuff and it shows in the way he has got them playing and with their results.

“I haven’t got a bad word to say about Bournemouth or Eddie and Jason. I told Yann it was a great club and a great place to live. He has a family and I said his wife and little boy would love it there. I said if he had a chance and it felt right, I would advise him to go.”

Hollands added: “Yann did very well for Charlton. He will score goals and there isn’t much he can’t do. People assume he is just a targetman because of his size and leap. If you ask him, he likes to come short as well. He can do a bit of both. He is strong, his touch is good and he can make things happen. If he gets a chance, he will finish it, like people at Bournemouth saw on the first day of the season. He is a great all-rounder.

“In our first season together, he arrived at Charlton in late September and fitted in straight away. He scored some important goals and, as a midfielder, I enjoyed playing with him because he would bring you into play. He is a great addition to their squad and, hopefully, they can push on for the rest of the season.”