NEW recruit Chris Mepham received a glowing reference on Cherries from Wales team-mate David Brooks before he completed his switch to the Dorset club.

Mepham on Tuesday signed from Brentford for a fee understood to be £12million.

The 21-year-old played alongside Brooks for Wales under-21s before they featured together in the UEFA Nations League matches against Ireland and Denmark in September.

Mepham told the Cherries website: "I dropped Brooksy a text and said 'if you do not mind could you give me a phone call and speak more about the club itself' and he was really complimentary of the place.

"He said it is a great place to learn, the training is intense and it is a tight group with a family feel to the club. After I met Eddie Howe and came to the training ground I got that feeling.

"It is good to have familiar faces when I come into training."

The centre-back also knows striker Dominic Solanke from his time in the youth set-up at Chelsea.

Mepham admitted Cherries' long-term interest and the opportunity to work with Howe helped prise him from Griffin Park.

"Bournemouth were there linked with me in the first window after I had played eight or nine games for Brentford," said Mepham.

"There is a lot to like about the club. Eddie Howe is a great manager and what he has done here is massive. To be working under him is good.

"I like the family feel to the club. After they came in the first time and showed interest last time they have been very persistent. For me, I can take a lot away from that and it fills me with confidence that they feel I am the right player for the football club."

On the test of Premier League football, Mepham said: "It is probably going to be the biggest one (step up) of them all and I do feel ready for it.

"This time I was more keen to make the deal go through.

"Everyone's aspirations are to play in the Premier League and, having another opportunity to do so, I had to take it with both hands. Time will tell how ready I am but I cannot wait to get started.

"Every time I have been presented with an opportunity I have taken it well and in my stride, whether that be when I was promoted to the first-team at Brentford, made my full debut or senior debut with Wales.

"This is another opportunity I am looking forward to taking."