CHERRIES chief executive Neill Blake expressed his thanks to Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa after allowing full-back Leif Davis to join the Dorset club on loan.

The 21-year-old will be part of Scott Parker’s squad for the 2021-22 Championship season, with Cherries also having the option of making the move permanent.

Davis has played for Leeds 14 times at senior level – all of those games have come under legendary boss Bielsa.

And Blake told the club website: “We would like to publicly thank Leeds United and their head coach Marcelo Bielsa for allowing us to bring Leif here on a season-long loan.”

He added: “We are delighted to bring Leif to the club as he is very highly regarded at Leeds.

“He is a young player with a great deal of potential who has already experienced playing in the Premier League and Championship.

“Leif will certainly bolster our defensive resources and add to what is shaping up to be a very exciting and talented squad.

“I know he will enjoy working with Scott and his management team and they will be looking to help Leif continue his development while he is with us.”

Speaking about the move, Davis said: “I'm absolutely delighted, when I got told the club was interested I spoke to my agent and said I'd be more than happy to come down.

"Now I'm down here I'm delighted to be here and I want to try and help the club get back to the Premier League because that's where they belong.”

Full-back Davis arrived at Vitality Stadium just hours after Spanish defender Diego Rico’s move from Cherries to Real Sociedad was confirmed.