CHERRIES club record signing Jefferson Lerma is eager to break down the English language barrier in a bid to make his dream Premier League move a success.

The 23-year-old on Tuesday sealed a £25million move to Vitality Stadium from La Liga outfit Levante.

Colombian Lerma has been communicating with his team-mates and club staff through an interpreter over the past few days, as well as at today’s press conference.

The Spanish-speaking star said he was “working hard” to pick up English, despite insisting “in football, it does not need a language”.

Lerma is set to miss Cherries’ season opener against Cardiff tomorrow (3pm) as he gets up to speed ahead of the new campaign.

He revealed he could be ready for Cherries' following fixture at West Ham a week on Saturday.

Asked by the Daily Echo about studying English, he said: “I am working hard and I should pick up the language as quickly as possible to facilitate my stay here.

“At the moment we are communicating through an interpreter but, in football it does not need a language. My other team-mates are trying to help me as well.”

Another new recruit tasked with the same process is Spanish summer signing Diego Rico, who is set to miss the game against the Bluebirds through suspension.

Lerma and Rico featured twice against each other in La Liga last season.

And the 2018 World Cup star said it would be beneficial to have someone learning alongside him.

“It helps a lot that we are together here and both of us speak Spanish,” added Lerma.

“That will make it easier for both of us to learn English as quickly as possible.”

On the field, the combative midfielder has started training under boss Eddie Howe in preparation for life in the English top flight.

He said: “I am very happy for the transfer. It’s a historical transfer for my life.

“It was a very complicated process during the transfer for both clubs. The main thing and the most important thing is I’m here now and I will enjoy my days here.

“First of all we are going to take it game by game, try to impress and get better and better. I am very passionate about the game and coming here. I am very happy and very excited.”

Comparing the Premier League to La Liga, Lerma said: “I think both leagues are great. The Spanish league is good but the Premier League is more competitive. You would be proud to win the league here.

“It is the best league in the world and that’s why I wanted to play in this league and compete.

“I think my style will work better in the Premier League than in La Liga.

“Bournemouth is a club who, having come up, is very ambitious to work for the future, it is getting better and better.”