TOMMY Elphick is hoping to be part of a new era at Aston Villa after earning legendary status during four years with Cherries.
Elphick yesterday put the finishing touches to his move to the Championship outfit, signing a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee – believed to be £3.25million.
The 28-year-old defender, who led Cherries to two promotions in three seasons, had a year left on his contract at Vitality Stadium and had been offered a 12-month extension by Eddie Howe.
But Elphick, who got married earlier this month and cut short his honeymoon in Italy to finalise the move, was apparently keen to secure a longer-term deal.
Signed by Cherries for a fee of around £175,000 from Brighton in August 2012, Elphick will be remembered as the most successful captain in the club’s history.
He told the Villa website: “I am absolutely delighted. As soon as I heard about Villa’s interest, it was something that turned my head straight away.
“To be able to come here and represent such a fabulous club, with such a great history, is going to be a real honour for me.
“I cut short my honeymoon to sign. We had five days left. But, to be honest, my wife is very understanding in terms of football. It’s what gives us our living.
“When a club like Villa come calling, the least you can do is give up a few days during your honeymoon.
“Why Villa? It’s as soon as you hear the name. When you see what they have done over the summer with the new owner, new manager, I didn’t take too much convincing.
“There have been some great players play for this club. To be able to pull on that claret and blue shirt in front of these fans is something I won’t take lightly.”
Elphick became new Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo’s first signing and the first player purchased since the Midlands club was bought by Dr Tony Xia.
Di Matteo said: “I’m really pleased to bring Tommy to the football club. He is a fantastic player and also a fantastic character which is very important.
“He knows what is required to win promotion to the Premier League and that experience will be invaluable.”
Team-mate Steve Cook took to Twitter and said it had been an “absolute pleasure” to play alongside Elphick, adding he would be “missed”.
Been an absolute pleasure to play alongside @TommyElph4 for the last 4 years. All the best at Villa. Your be missed😢 pic.twitter.com/YyIShxjLNO
— Steve Cook (@SteveCook28) June 20, 2016
We did alright .....
— Tommy Elphick (@TommyElph4) June 20, 2016
see you soon ❤️😘🍒 pic.twitter.com/nJvA9u0kaN
Safe to say Bournemouth fans are gutted to see Elphick leave. Positive sign. #avfc #afcb pic.twitter.com/CRHMep2iHB
— Matt Lynch (@mattlyynch) June 20, 2016
Disappointed to say goodbye to Tommy Elphick. Has always given us everything he had - a character that #avfc need now. #AFCB
— Alex Deutsch (@alexdeutsch) June 15, 2016
Absolutely gutted to see Tommy Elphick leave - greatest captain we have ever had. Villa are getting an amazing bloke & leader #afcb
— Sam Gale (@samgale) June 20, 2016
I genuinely don't think I have been so upset about a player leaving than I am over Tommy Elphick. Wishing him luck at Aston Villa #afcb
— Beth Smith (@BethSmithAFCB) June 20, 2016
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