NEW recruit Lee Tomlin admitted he had been impressed with Cherries’ style of play last season – so jumped at the chance to sign for the club.

Tomlin became Cherries’ second addition of an eventful day at Dean Court when he followed Max Gradel through the door after joining from Middlesbrough.

The 26-year-old former Rushden & Diamonds and Peterborough frontman penned a three-year deal after the clubs had agreed a fee, believed to have been in the region of £3million.

Tomlin, who was named Championship player of the month for January 2015, played a key role as Boro pushed Cherries and Norwich all the way last season with the Teessiders eventually missing out on promotion after losing the play-off final to the Canaries.

He said: “I am really excited. When I came here last season, everything about the club just blew me away. I was playing against them and thinking ‘imagine if I played here’. I think the team’s style of play will definitely suit me.

“I said to everyone that Bournemouth were the team to look out for last season. They were easily the best team in the league and it was no surprise that they went on to win it.

“Losing in the final with Middlesbrough still hurts now, but it’s another learning curve for me and, hopefully, I can kick on and enjoy Premier League football with Bournemouth.

“Five years ago, I was playing Conference football. A year or two before that I was playing on loan at Brackley Town so I’ve played right at the bottom and now I’m at the top. This is where I want to be and this is why I’ve worked so hard.

“Everyone at Middlesbrough was fantastic to me from the moment I walked in the door. It was perfect for me and I’d like to thank everyone there, but this was a massive step and I couldn’t turn it down,” added Tomlin in an interview with the club website.

And chief executive Neill Blake said: “Lee is a player who we are excited about and will get fans off their seats.

“He is someone we have followed for some time and believe will fit seamlessly into Eddie and Jason’s plans.

“The promotion race in the Championship last season was incredibly competitive and Lee was a key figure in a Middlesbrough side which went very close to going up.

“We believe he is ready to make the step up and look forward to seeing him play in the Premier League.

“Like the club, he has had to work hard to get to this point and is eager to make the most of this opportunity.

“We are very pleased with the business we have done this week and on the whole this summer, and feel it is a marker of our ambitions this season.”