BOSS Eddie Howe has called on new signing Sylvain Distin to take Ian Harte’s mantle at Cherries having rubber stamped the ex-Everton defender’s move.

The 37-year-old, a free agent having left Goodison Park this summer, has signed a one-year deal with the Premier League newcomers.

As reported in the Daily Echo last Friday, Distin's widely-anticipated unveiling was delayed despite going through a medical and agreeing personal terms at Dean Court because his Toffees contract did not expire until midnight on June 30. 

Distin has racked up more than 450 Premier League appearances across 14 years in England with the likes of Newcastle, Manchester City, Portsmouth and Everton, who reportedly paid £5million for his services in August 2009.

Having made the “extremely difficult” decision to release fellow veteran Harte, Howe has tasked Distin with having a similar effect on a squad that is largely new to the rigours of the top flight.

Howe told the club website: “I see Sylvain playing a similar role to the one Ian Harte played.

“Off the pitch, he is someone the younger players can turn to in times when they need to speak to someone who has seen it and done it.

“Ian was invaluable to us in that respect last season and the season before when he had experience in the Championship that no one else had.

“Sylvain now takes on that role and on the pitch, I still think he has a huge amount to offer. He still has his athleticism and is technically very good. We are very pleased to have him.”

Distin becomes Cherries' fifth permanent summer capture alongside goalkeepers Artur Boruc and Adam Federici, frontrunner Josh King and club-record signing Tyrone Mings.

Cherries have also added Chelsea wideman Christian Atsu on a season-long loan deal.