HARRY Arter admitted it had been “pretty easy” to commit his future to Cherries after penning a new four-year deal at Vitality Stadium.

In a major boost ahead of the club’s pre-season fixture programme, the Republic of Ireland international will remain in Dorset until at least 2021.

And the midfielder revealed how he had quickly rubber-stamped his stay as the club’s ambitions had matched his own.

Arter told the club website: “Once I heard the club wanted to give me a new deal, it was a pretty easy decision.

“The team has been successful over the past few years and you want to be part of somewhere that is continually progressing.

“I just want to improve all the time and it’s nice to be part of a squad which is trying to do that, too.”

Arter joined Cherries from non-league Woking in June 2010, playing a key role in the club’s meteoric rise from League One to ninth in the Premier League last season.

The 27-year-old has made 239 appearances for Cherries, scoring 28 goals.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe was delighted Arter had put the finishing touches to his new contract, the boss labelling the ex-Charlton youngster “a real winner”.

Howe said: “Harry has been such an important player for us over a long period of time.

“He is a real winner and has been at the heart of most of the good things that have happened on the pitch.

“He has been outstanding in terms of his conduct and attitude to the group and it’s great news that he has committed his future to the club.”

Chief executive Neill Blake believes Arter’s decision to remain at Cherries shows the club is heading in the right direction.

Blake said: “As well as strengthening the squad this summer, it was important to ensure we kept hold of our best players and I am delighted Harry has signed a new contract.

“He has been an instrumental part of the club’s rise and success over the past few years and has shown huge growth in that time, both as a player and a person.

“Harry is now an established Premier League midfielder and an international footballer and the fact he wants to continue his journey here speaks volumes of what we are trying to achieve.” 

At the end of last month, Howe revealed he was confident Arter would be fit for the start of the new campaign – but admitted he would tread carefully with the midfielder during pre-season.

Arter played through the pain barrier during the final few games of the last campaign having been troubled by a nagging ankle complaint.

He also had to manage his injury on international duty with the Republic of Ireland.

The Sidcup-born ace was named man of the match in their win over Uruguay in a friendly before playing his part in a 1-1 draw with Austria in a crucial World Cup qualifier.