STEVE Cook has committed his future to Cherries by signing a new contract which will see him remain at Vitality Stadium until at least the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

Defender Cook penned the four-year deal following a season in which he played every minute as Cherries secured a ninth-place Premier League finish.

Cook's imperious form reportedly caught the eye of a number of his team's Premier League rivals, with Everton, Newcastle, West Brom and Watford all credited with an interest in the 26-year-old.

But he has agreed to extend his Cherries stay, just 12 months after putting his name to a three-year contract.

He told the club website: "Myself and AFC Bournemouth have been the perfect match.

"Since the manager came in, things have been forever moving upwards and that has matched my own ambitions.

"These are exciting times to be at the club and, hopefully, we can continue to have as much success as we have had in the past few years."

Cherries boss Eddie Howe said: "This new contract is fully deserved after the season Steve has had.

"He has developed into an outstanding defender, has shown great consistency and has proved himself capable of playing at the highest level.

"I am delighted Steve sees his long-term future at AFC Bournemouth because he is a major part of our plans going forward."

Cherries chief executive Neill Blake added: "Over the past five and a half years, Steve has grown, both as a person and a player, and has been an integral part of our success on the pitch.

"We have always said that we want to keep hold of our best players and Steve’s new contract is a statement of that intent.

"I look forward to him being a permanent fixture in our defence for years to come. We are building this club for the long-term and Steve is a very important part of that."

Signed for £170,000 from Brighton in January 2012, following an initial two-month loan spell, Cook was integral to Cherries' rise from League One to the top flight.

He played 36 times in Cherries' debut Premier League season, scoring four goals, before delivering the finest campaign of his career.

Cook's development into a first-rate centre-back was recognised by supporters who voted overwhelmingly for him to win the Daily Echo/Micky Cave player-of-the year prize.

His wonderful equalising strike in the 4-3 victory over Liverpool last December was named Cherries' goal of the season at the club's end-of-season awards ceremony.

Cook recently explained how taking a fitness coach with him on holiday to Portugal last summer had laid the foundations for his stellar campaign and he promised to adhere to the same punishing schedule during the close season.