WARREN Cummings admitted he was "honoured and humbled" after Cherries had agreed to support a prestige testimonial – with European giants AC Milan the visitors.

Cherries will host the seven-time European champions at Vitality Stadium on Saturday, September 3 (3pm) when Eddie Howe’s Premier Leaguers will lock horns with the Italian big guns.

Cummings, who announced his playing retirement at the end of last season, is one of Cherries' leading appearance-makers and enjoyed a fruitful and eventful stay at Dean Court between 2003 and 2012.

Capped once by Scotland, the popular Aberdonian played a key role in promotion from League Two, which culminated in winning the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium in 2003.

The defender helped Cherries achieve the Greatest Escape in 2009 before featuring heavily as the club won promotion from League Two the following season, the start of the meteoric rise to the Premier League.

Formerly a youngster at Chelsea, Cummings, who also had two loan spells with Cherries, finished his career at Havant & Waterlooville having clocked up more than 350 appearances as a professional. He was also named in the PFA's League One team of the season in 2005.

Reflecting on the upcoming visit of Milan, one of the most decorated clubs in Europe, Cummings told the Daily Echo: "I'm really excited that people have got together to put this game on for me and am hugely grateful to Eddie Howe, Jeff Mostyn and Neill Blake for allowing it to happen.

"AFC Bournemouth was my football career and to be able to go back and be involved in such a prestigious occasion means a huge amount to me. I'm incredibly honoured and humbled.

"The greatest occasions of my career were at AFC Bournemouth and I was very fortunate to be part of some amazing promotions and the Greatest Escape.

"Although that didn't mean anything in terms of medals, I was fortunate to be part of the squad which had a huge influence in where the club has managed to progress to now.

"I'm not sure the club would be where it is now had it not achieved what it achieved back then, which was quite exceptional under Eddie Howe's stewardship.

"I'm very happy for the fans who experienced so many lows during that period of time that they are now reaping the rewards of where the club currently stands.

"I have become a fan. I love watching them and think the style of play they have is quite amazing. We'd all love to have been part of it but to see it means a lot."