MIDFIELD maestro Joe Rothwell says the fact boss Scott Parker also played in his position was a "big pull" in him opting to join Cherries this summer.

The 27-year-old today completed his switch to the Dorset club, arriving as a free agent after leaving Blackburn Rovers and signing a four-year deal.

Cherries had tried to sign Rothwell during the January transfer window, but they could not agree a fee with Rovers, instead waiting to pick him up for nothing following the expiry of his contract.

Chief executive Neill Blake says the club fought off "huge competition" to clinch the signature of Rothwell.

But the Manchester-born ace had little doubt where he saw his next move.

"I'm over the moon," Rothwell told afcbTV.

"It's been a bit of a long time coming, shall we say, but delighted that it's finally over the line now.

"It came quite close in the last window in January and unfortunately it didn't quite happen. But thankfully the interest was still there in this window and thankfully it's finally over the line.

"As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew it was going to take some beating for me to go elsewhere.

"Obviously he has his reasons for why he wants me to come here.

"I bring certain qualities that he might not have in the squad already and I'll just come here and do as I have done wherever else I've played. Hopefully it works in this league as well."

Asked if former England international Parker's playing experience also played a part in his decision to choose Cherries, Rothwell added: "Definitely, that was another big pull for me, an ex-midfielder.

"He spoke to me about what he saw in me and how he's seen things he's never seen before in midfielders.

"He said all the right things and ticked all the right boxes."

Cherries return for pre-season testing today, six weeks out from the start of the Premier League season.

"I can't wait," said Rothwell on meeting his teammates and beginning pre-season.

"It's been a long summer I'd say. But I'm definitely ready now to get back into the swing of things."