PHILIP Billing believes team-mate Aaron Ramsdale could have a “big future”, with the 21-year-old yesterday penning a new long-term contract at Cherries.

The goalkeeper has been revelation this campaign, keeping his first clean sheet for the club during Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Norwich City and his form has now been rewarded with a fresh deal, which is reportedly set to expire in 2024.

Ramsdale, who signed for Cherries from Sheffield United for around £800,000 in 2017, spent loan spells away from the club at Chesterfield and AFC Wimbledon before breaking into Eddie Howe’s side this season.

He returned to Cherries in the summer, made his competitive debut against the Blades on the opening day of the Premier League season and has played in every minute of top-flight action since.

Discussing the impact made by Ramsdale this season, Billing told the Daily Echo: “Credit to him. He’s young, hasn’t really played before, come in this season and done very well.

“The gaffer showed his belief in him, putting him in goal in front of what I think are some very good goalkeepers here, Artur Boruc and (Mark) Travers.

“It’s definitely looking good for the club and right now it’s Aaron in goal and he just has to continue because I think he has a big future if he keeps his head down and works hard.”

Howe opted to sign Ramsdale despite the then teenager having played just two senior games in the form of FA Cup fixtures for Sheffield United.

But having progressed to become England under-21s first choice goalkeeper and with nine Premier League appearances to his name, the fee paid to secure his services appears paltry.

Asked if the transfer of Ramsdale was one of the best bits of business completed by the club in recent years, Howe said: “That’s a difficult one, I’ll let other people judge that.

“We believe in young players. If they’re the right young players and you can get them early enough before other clubs circle around them, that’s what we try and do.

“It’s a difficult process. You’re not going to get every one right, you’re going to make some mistakes along the way but when you do get everything aligned and make a good decision, then it can seem really good business.

“Aaron at the moment will fall into that category but there’s been other players that would’ve been the same. We just hope it’s just the start for him.

“We don’t want to get carried away with it, we hope there’s a lot more good times ahead for him.”

Discussing his new contract with afcbTV, Ramsdale said: “I’ve put in a lot of hard work on and off the pitch to get to this position. I’m over the moon to have signed a new contract.

“I’ve have had two good, different loan spells and am now seeing the benefits of that hard work.”