CHERRIES chief executive Neill Blake has described as a “huge coup” the signing of highly-rated Chelsea frontman Christian Atsu.

Ghanaian international Atsu will spend next season on loan to the Dorset club, with his move still subject to Premier League approval.

Atsu joined Chelsea in a £3.5million move from Porto two years ago, having featured prominently in the Champions’ League for the Portuguese giants.

And he lit up this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, winning player and goal of the tournament as Ghana lost 9-8 on penalties to Ivory Coast in the final.

The 23-year-old signed a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2013 and has spent the past two seasons on loan at Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem and Everton, respectively.

Blake, who brokered the deal with Chelsea, told the club website: “We have been working hard to bolster our playing squad since the end of the season and are delighted to secure the signing of Christian on a season-long loan, subject to work permit.

“His signature is one that was highly sought after, having impressed in the Barclays Premier League on loan at Everton and on the international stage with Ghana and it is a huge coup to us, as a club, that he was so keen to come here.

“We have said on many occasions that times have changed here and it is great that we are now able to attract players of Christian’s calibre and that the Premier League champions see us as a club that can help develop one of their most exciting, young talents.

“We know the challenge that lies ahead of us next season as we look to establish our place in the top flight of English football and our job, as a board, is to reward Eddie and the squad for their excellent achievements over the past few years by investing in the squad to ensure we give them the best chance possible to do this.

“The manager has got the team playing an exciting brand of football which has earned us plaudits nationwide and I am confident that Christian will flourish under his watchful eye and amongst this talented group.”

Atsu’s addition brings to four the number of players signed by Cherries this week following the arrivals of Artur Boruc, Adam Federici and Joshua King.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe told the club website: “Although he is a young player, he is a player with outstanding experience when you look at the career he has had.

“He has had a lot thrown at him – Porto, Vitesse, Chelsea, on the international stage – and has done very well. We are loaning a player of huge potential and again had to fight off several other Premier League clubs to get him so we are very pleased.

“I think he will bring pace and ability to beat a man one-v-one which is very important in the Premier League so, for all those reasons, I think he is a great signing for us.”