UNDER-21 boss Shaun Cooper believes giving young frontman Jake Scrimshaw a two-year deal at Cherries “is a good thing for him and the club”.

The Isle of Wight-born striker spent the second half of this season on loan at National League Eastleigh, where he made nine appearances in all competitions.

Scrimshaw, 19, also enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Poole Town in Southern League South last campaign and was named Cherries’ under-18 player of the year during 2018-19.

Speaking about the striker, Cooper told the club website: “He’s done well.

“He had a good loan move last season and is a player we think has real promise and potential.

“He’s a handful to play against and a great player to have in your team. He earned his two years and we will see where that goes.

“Being a goalscorer and an attacking player, he only has to go on loan and bang in a few goals and everyone would be interested in him, so tying him up is a good thing for him and the club.”

The likes of Calum Ward, Tyler Cordner, Brennan Camp, Zeno Ibsen Rossi, Jordan Zemura, Shaun Hobson, Dinesh Gillela, Corey Jordan, Luke Nippard, Frank Vincent and George Hunt were also given 12-month contracts, as well as Keelan O’Connell, Jaidon Anthony and Ryan Glover.

Cooper added: “Some might be knocking on the door two or three years down the line and, for others, it might be sooner.

“We definitely think all of them have the ability and potential to put themselves up for consideration.

“First and foremost, our priority is to try to prepare players for this club and get them to suit the manager’s requirements.”