JAMES Hill has set his sights high as he begins his journey at Cherries.

The teenager signed a four-and-a-half year deal with the Dorset club yesterday, arriving on a £1million deal from Fleetwood Town.

Cherries are thought to have fought off strong interest from various other clubs to secure Hill's signature.

And the England under-20 international is eyeing a spot in the Premier League next term, with Cherries currently sitting top of the Championship.

He told afcbTV: "I think it's just exciting because I think promotion is really on the cards for this club.

"I really want to be a part of that and no matter if it’s top of the league we’re playing or it’s bottom of the league, I think you attack every game the same.

"I really think that this club's got that to a tee and I think we can really push for promotion."

Asked for his long-term goals, Hill added: "It's probably to start by obviously getting promotion this season and then push to the Premier League and stay in the Premier League for many seasons to come."

Born in Bristol, Hill quickly made home in the north west.

Son of former professional footballer Matt Hill, James joined him living in Preston, when Matt signed for Preston North End in the mid-2000s.

After failing to make the grade at Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool, centre-back Hill found his home at Fleetwood, becoming the club's youngest ever player when he debuted aged 16 in 2018.

He had to wait to become a regular member of their side, eventually leaving with 53 appearances under his belt for the Highbury club.

"No matter what people say - I got told as a kid that you need to pick another ambition because football, you can't really make that as a job," said Hill.

"I honestly told them that that was not possible for me, I have to be a footballer.

"I've just kind of believed in myself and it's brought me to where I am now.

"And I think there's more to come because I'm hungry, I want to learn and I want to keep getting better.

"I think this is a place to do that."