CHERRIES have completed the signing of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic from Chelsea.

The 29-year-old is the club's first new arrival of summer following a Premier League season in which they finished ninth.

The fee is believed to be between £8million and £10m, with the stopper signing a long-term deal.

Begovic will compete for Cherries' number one jersey with Artur Boruc, who last month triggered an appearance-related clause in his contract to extend his Vitality Stadium stay until at least the summer of 2018.

Bosnian international Begovic told the club website: “AFC Bournemouth is an exciting, ambitious club which has everything in place for a very bright future.

“Being part of a title-winning team at Chelsea was amazing but I felt now was the right time to move on because I want to be playing regular football.

“I am coming into an important part of my career and I want to show people what I am capable of.

“When I spoke to Eddie Howe I knew AFC Bournemouth was the right club for me and I want to bring my experience to the squad, both on and off the pitch.

“I’m really excited to be part of the journey here and hope I can help take the club to another level.”

Howe said: “Asmir is an outstanding goalkeeper who has proved himself capable of performing at the highest level over a number of years.

"He is at the right age and the right fit. He is a leader as well and exactly the kind of character you want in the team.

“Asmir will provide great competition to the excellent group of goalkeepers we already have here and his experience will prove invaluable in the dressing room and on the pitch.

“I look forward to him being a very important player here for years to come.”

Chief executive Neill Blake added: “This signing is a real statement for the club. I am delighted that we have been able to bring in a goalkeeper of Asmir’s quality and experience.

“He is entering the peak of his career, with experience of the World Cup and Champions League already under his belt at the age of 29.

“It is important to strengthen the squad to build on last season’s success, and the arrival of Asmir is a great first step in doing just that.” 

Chelsea paid £8million to take Begovic from Stoke City two years ago but he has been unable to displace the imperious Thibaut Courtois from the Premier League champions' starting line-up.

Begovic started only two top-flight matches during the 2016-17 campaign but did feature 17 times during his first season in west London owing to an injury to Courtois.

He played nine matches on loan for Cherries nearly a decade ago, when he counted the club's current winger Max Gradel among his team-mates.

Howe reportedly tried to land Begovic in January but with Chelsea unable to recruit a suitable back up for Courtois the player saw out the season at Stamford Bridge.

Begovic played 160 Premier League matches for Stoke, who he joined from Portsmouth in a £3.25 million deal in 2010.