EDDIE Howe believes Marc Wilson will add valuable Premier League experience to his Cherries squad but says there are no guarantees he will be an automatic starter.

Wilson last night put the finishing touches to his move from Stoke City, the defender penning a two-year contract for an initial fee in the region of £1.5million.

The 28-year-old worked under Howe when he spent two loan spells with Cherries in 2007 and also played alongside him at former club Portsmouth.

Wilson made 176 appearances for the Potters but was restricted by injury to just one start in the top flight last season – during a 2-2 draw against Leicester in September.

He was understood to have been a target for Howe before sustaining a knee injury in an FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace in January which brought his season to a premature end.

And although he was named in the Republic of Ireland’s initial 35-man squad for Euro 2016, Wilson was subsequently withdrawn after suffering a setback.

Capped 24 times by the Republic, Wilson was first linked with Cherries by the Daily Echo on our Twitter feed at the end of June.

In an exclusive interview for the Daily Echo, Howe said: “I have worked with Marc a couple of times, once as a player at Portsmouth where we played together briefly. Then, he came here on loan when I was part of the coaching team.

“He is a very talented player, a versatile performer and he adds numbers and experience to our backline.

“It is a minimal fee by today’s standards so we are hopeful he will add what we want to the squad. He has been in the Premier League for a number of years and that can only help us.

“He still has to force his way in and we have some talented players here. We are thin on the ground in terms of defensive options so it is certainly welcome. He will add competition for places in that area.”

Wilson becomes Cherries’ seventh summer signing following Emerson Hyndman, Lys Mousset, Lewis Cook, Jordon Ibe, Brad Smith and Nathan Ake, who is on a long-term loan.

Asked whether he planned any further additions, Howe replied: “Possibly, let’s see.

“Marc was someone we were after for quite a while during pre-season. It was an extended search for a good defender so we will see what else there is left to do.”

Wilson, speaking to the club website, said: “I am delighted to be back on the south coast. I know a lot of the guys here and, as soon as I heard the interest from the club, it was very appealing to me.

“Of course it was a big decision to make with having to move my wife and kid back down here, but I am thrilled now that I’ve made it.

“I enjoyed my years at Stoke but I spoke with the manager Mark Hughes and we both agreed it was time to move on – I am excited now to start a new chapter in my career.”