CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe is confident new recruit Diego Rico will "fit our philosophy and style of play".

Defender Rico was tonight unveiled as Cherries' second summer signing, the move subject to international clearance.

Rico has joined the club for an undisclosed fee – believed to have been £10.7million – from Madrid-based La Liga outfit Leganés.

The 25-year-old Spaniard, who operates predominantly as a left-back, has penned a four-year contract.

He passed a medical at Vitality Stadium earlier today and completed the signing formalities after agreeing personal terms.

Cherries managed to see off strong competition for his signature with a host of high-profile European clubs having been keen to secure his services.

The former Real Zaragoza man turned down overtures from Bundesliga big guns Borussia Dortmund who will compete in the Champions League this season.

Rico, who joined Leganés from Zaragoza for just 1.2m euro in 2016, had also been linked with Spanish top-flight club Real Sociedad and Portuguese heavyweights Benfica.

It is believed his decision was swayed following a meeting with Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall during Cherries' pre-season training camp in La Manga last week.

Howe told the club website: “Diego is a player we have been tracking throughout the summer and, although we had to be patient, it’s great to finally be able to call him an AFC Bournemouth player.

“He’s a really nice footballer and someone who will fit our philosophy and style of play.

“Diego is fast, physical, aggressive in attack and aggressive defensively. He takes an excellent set-piece and has a powerful left foot.

“Once he gets used to the way we play, we believe he can be a real force for this football club.”

Rico will significantly beef up competition for places in the Cherries defence with Charlie Daniels having been the club's first-choice left-back – and seen off a host of contenders to his crown – since joining the club from Leyton Orient for £175,000 in 2011.

Rico told the club website: “I’m very happy to be here and would like to thank everyone at AFC Bournemouth for making me feel so welcome.

“This is a new step for me in my career and, from my heart, I can say I am truly excited to be here and looking forward to the future.

“I have heard so much about the manager. I learned he is very professional and has a great philosophy on football and I can see that is true from the short time I have met him so far.

“I am very excited to be a Bournemouth player.”

Rico will miss Cherries' first three games of the season through suspension after being sent off in his final appearance for Leganés.

Cherries chief executive Neill Blake added: “This signing has taken a long time to get over the line but I’m delighted to bring Diego to the club.

“He is a fantastic talent who has all the attributes to succeed in the Premier League and I am looking forward to seeing him develop as a player.

“Diego’s arrival further strengthens our squad as we aim to continue progressing and competing with some of the best clubs in the country.”