CHERRIES have announced Joe Rothwell as the club's second signing of the summer.

The midfielder's contract with Blackburn Rovers is due to expire at the end of the month, making him available on a free transfer.

He has signed a four-year deal with the Dorset club.

Rothwell becomes the second player to arrive on a free ahead of Cherries' six-week pre-season programme beginning today, with former West Ham United defender Ryan Fredericks joining earlier this week.

Rothwell, 27, spent four years with Rovers, after joining from Oxford United.

He made 161 appearances for the Lancashire club, netting 11 goals.

Cherries also attempted to sign the central midfielder during the January transfer window, but they could not thrash out a deal with Blackburn, who opted to keep the player to try and aid their own Championship promotion push.

While Scott Parker's men clinched second spot, Rovers slipped down to eighth and now lose Rothwell for free.

Rothwell came through the Manchester United youth set-up alongside fellow Cherries midfielder Ben Pearson, with the pair even spending time on loan at Barnsley together in 2015.

Those two are now set to compete with the likes of Jefferson Lerma, Philip Billing, Lewis Cook, Emiliano Marcondes and Gavin Kilkenny for a starting spot.