CHERRIES' record signing Nathan Ake says he is returning to a bigger club than the one he joined on loan 12 months ago – and expects a fight for his place in the team.

Ake played 10 Premier League games for Cherries in the first half of last season before being recalled by Chelsea. But he insisted this was the "right moment" to leave the English champions and "get my career going".

The 22-year-old, who last week signed a long-term Vitality Stadium deal after Cherries agreed a £20million fee with Chelsea, also admitted his international aspirations were a factor in his decision to quit Stamford Bridge.

"It was the right moment in my career to make this step," said Ake. "You have to make a decision for yourself and get your career going.

"Maybe I could have stayed. Chelsea did not say ‘you have to go’. But I think we both felt it was the right time for me to play – they could not offer me a starting place and knew I had to make this decision.

"But you can not just walk in and expect to start. Every club you go to, even if you get bought for a lot of money, you still have to fight for your place. You have to do well in pre-season and, hopefully, I will do that."

When Ake arrived last summer he would likely have expected to be involved in a relegation scrap, after Cherries completed their maiden Premier League campaign in 16th spot.

But Eddie Howe led the team to ninth and, with Jermain Defoe and Asmir Begovic also on board for forthcoming season, Ake believes he is joining a club on the up.

"It is definitely a bigger club now," he said. "Bournemouth receive more credit in the press. People see the club is really growing. I am really happy to be part of that and feel we can grow even more.

"I cannot look too far ahead, but you always want to improve on what you did before. We finished ninth and want to do better than that."

Ake won his first full Holland caps in June and is keen to receive a call for the Dutch's World Cup qualifying tie with Bulgaria in September.

In the meantime, he insists his hefty transfer fee will not weigh him down.

"If I can play and play well, hopefully I will be invited to the next Holland squad," added Ake, who will today fly with his new team-mates to a 10-day training camp in Marbella.

"Of course, people might look at me differently now, because they spent so much money on me. But I put pressure on myself anyway. It still feels the same to me, so I will play like I did before.

"I needed this stability in my career, to know I am here and part of the club. I want to be playing and I am really excited to be here."