DAVID Brooks admitted casting aside nervousness had helped him to make the seamless transition to the Premier League.

The 21-year-old completed a summer move to Cherries from Championship outfit Sheffield United for an initial fee of £10million.

Winger Brooks has started eight of Cherries’ nine league games this campaign, firing his first top-flight goals against Crystal Palace and Watford earlier this month.

And the Welsh international revealed his recipe for success in making the transition to the top table.

He told the Daily Echo: “I think you have to back yourself as soon as you come up to the Premier League. You can’t really be nervous because then you will drop down the leagues.

“You have to be confident when you come up that you belong here and that you want to play. That’s what I’ve done and, hopefully, I can keep putting in good performances.

“Initially, it was about getting into the first team at Sheffield United, which I did, and then getting the international call-up.

“That was a big step as I was playing alongside Premier League players and I gradually got used to the training.

“Taking things step by step has helped me get where I am now.”

Brooks built a partnership with right-back Adam Smith at the beginning of the season.

But Smith’s recent switch to the other flank means Brooks is now dovetailing with skipper Simon Francis.

Brooks said: “Smudge played there at the start of the season and then Franno came in. We have been working well. It didn’t really click against Southampton but overall, we have been playing well.

“We just have to get back in the rhythm and, hopefully, we can put it right against Fulham on Saturday.

“The gaffer is very big on everyone knowing their roles in order to get in the starting XI. It does help having two players who have been here before to help you settle in.

“And the fact team has been playing well has helped as well.”

Brooks admitted his proud parents had been eagerly following his every move on the south coast.

He said: “Mum and dad do look at the newspapers. I don’t know if they keep cuttings, I haven’t really asked!

“But I know they check Twitter and they do like the newspaper articles as well.”