ASMIR Begovic says it is an "honour" to join AC Milan, after completing his loan switch from Cherries this week.

The Bosnian international put pen-to-paper on a loan deal until the end of June, having spent the first half of this season in Azerbaijan with Qarabag.

Begovic fell down the pecking order at Cherries last season with Artur Boruc and Mark Travers preferred in the closing weeks of the season, while Aaron Ramsdale has established himself as first-choice goalkeeper this term.

The 32-year-old, who joined Cherries from Chelsea for £10million in 2017, last featured for the first team in April.

But he is now looking forward to getting to grips with life at the Serie A giants, having been drafted in as competition for Italy stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma, replacing Pepe Reina who joined Aston Villa this week.

Speaking to the Milan website, Begovic said: "I chose AC Milan because for me it's a big challenge. One of the best clubs in the world with fantastic history, amazing fans, big pressure of course but a team with big ambition and I wanted to join AC Milan.

"For me I spent a long time in England. I was ready for a different challenge, ready to go to a different country, to understand the league here and what it means to play for AC Milan.

"For me, very excited, looking forward to the challenge and I can't wait to get started.

"I'm ready to help the team in any way I can. It's an honour for me to be here and replace Pepe Reina, who is an amazing goalkeeper and amazing person so I know what is expected of me.

"I think it's an amazing country for football, amazing culture for football. They love football here, the fans, this club of this tradition, history and ambition, for me there is no better club in the world."

Discussing what qualities he can bring to San Siro, Begovic said: "Experience, solid, reliable, dependable. Good goalkeeper."

Asked for any weaknesses he has, the former Stoke City goalkeeper said: "I am big so sometimes I can be a little bit too angry!"

Begovic added: "I think Asmir Begovic is a normal guy, a simple guy who likes to work hard, loves his family, loves his team-mates and wants to be part of a club and ultimately wants to win."

Milan sit 10th in Serie A and Begovic could make his debut in the Coppa Italia clash against Spal tomorrow.