HEAD of recruitment Richard Hughes reckons new boy Filippo Costa “all the traits” to make the most of his Cherries loan spell. 

The 20-year-old left-back yesterday completed his season-long switch to Dean Court from Italian club Chievo, subject to international clearance.

Costa, an Italy international at every age group up to under-20s, is set to start out with Stephen Purches’s under-21 squad with an eye on stepping up to training with the first-team squad. 

Hughes told the club website: “Filippo is a player we have known about for quite some time. The scouts we use in Italy were aware of him a good few years ago. 

“Last season he came into the realms of the senior scouts at the club. We were keen to add quality younger players to add profile to the development group and Fillipo fits that bill perfectly. 

“He was on loan at Pisa last season in the equivalent to our League One, so he has been playing at a good standard. Compared with the League One left-backs in our country, we thought he was way ahead of them and felt it was a signing with a lot of scope behind it. 

“But I think it is important to give any young player time to adapt to new surroundings. Let’s not forget there are subtle differences between Italian and English football. 

“He was chucked straight in when he arrived because Eddie (Howe, manager) wanted to have a look and let Filippo gauge the standard of what he should be aspiring to and I thought it was important for him to do that. 

“Predominately, however, he will work with Stephen until the coaches decide the time is right for him to make the grade. 

“Filippo is a clever boy, a good person and will work really hard. He has all the traits he needs to make the seamless transition from development to first team. 

“There is no timescale or pressure, we just know he is a good young player with good attributes and is in the right place to hone them and develop.” 

Costa and trialist Jordan Green could feature for the under-21s against Dorset Premier League champions Hamworthy Recreation tomorrow (7pm), with coach Stephen Purches looking forward to a familiar welcome at Magna Road.

"We are fortunate to use the facilities at Hamworthy on a regular basis and get looked after really well," he said. 

"It is a great set up and we always feel so welcome so hopefully, plenty of people will come along to support the boys and a good local club." 

Trialist JP Rylah and Wes Fogden, who has been training with Cherries under-21s while he searches for a new club, are not set to take part. 

Admission for the clash at Hamworthy Club is set at £5 for adults and £3 for children under 16.