CHERRIES have today announced the permanent signing of goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

The Polish international has joined the Dorset club on a free transfer after spending three years at Southampton.

Boruc has finalised terms on an initial one-year deal with provision for a 12-month appearance-related extension.

He starred during an extended loan spell from Southampton as Cherries won promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history.

Boruc kept 16 clean sheets in 37 games in the Championship – including four in the final five games as promotion was assured.

He becomes manager Eddie Howe’s first addition of the close season and the club’s first permanent signing since August.

Boruc impressed for Cherries during two separate emergency loan spells in the first half of the campaign before penning a standard loan agreement in January.

Before his arrival in September, Cherries had fallen to 15th place in the Championship having conceded 10 goals in a five-match winless run.

However, Boruc, who missed the 2-0 defeat at Derby, started 16 league games and helped Cherries to 12 wins and four draws which took them to the top of the table.