BENIK Afobe revealed how close pal Jack Wilshere had made the epic journey from "goofy little boy" to midfielder of "world-class" quality.

Cherries striker Afobe met the England international at Arsenal's Hale End academy when he was eight and the pair forged a firm friendship as they moved through the age groups.

Afobe became godfather to Wilshere's daughter, Delilah, in 2013 and stayed in close contact with his friend after moving on to Wolves and later Cherries.

Gunners star Wilshere swapped Emirates Stadium for Vitality Stadium on deadline day – albeit on a temporary basis – and Afobe believes Dorset is just the right place for his long-time chum.

Afobe told the Daily Echo: "I remember when I first met Jack at Arsenal training, he was wearing number 11, had bright blonde hair and was this goofy little boy! I used to play up a year and we became good friends.

"He's always been a team player so he is going to be good to have around the camp. Even in training today, you could tell the class and ability he has and now he just has to prove that every week.

"I think he's world-class and I'm not just saying that because he's one of my best friends. He's up there with the top three I've played alongside."

Afobe lifted the lid on his role in Wilshere's temporary move to Dorset, revealing how his advice had impacted on his friend's thinking.

The Cherries frontman continued: "I was in the cinema watching Brotherhood and Jack told me to call him when I got out.

"I rung him afterwards and he asked me what Bournemouth was like and said he was interested in coming on loan for the season.

"He was interested from the get-go. The influence of me telling him about the club, the manager and the boys played a big part but in himself he was really interested.

"I know for a fact he has made the decision for his career. He knows it will benefit him being here. It's nothing to do with me being here, it's a football reason, for sure.

"He told me he liked Eddie Howe because he felt he could improve him. He knows he's not the finished article.

"At 24 and with the injuries he's had, he knows he's got a long way to reach his full potential.

"Jack will come here and want to prove a lot of people wrong and a lot of people right. I know he's going to get his head down and work hard."

Reflecting on his own role in the loan switch, Afobe joked: "I spoke to the manager and said, 'hopefully, when I retire, you will offer me a job as a scout or an agent'!"