MARCUS Tavernier has become Cherries' third transfer of the summer - but who is the Dorset club's new signing?

Cherries confirmed the addition of Tavernier this morning on a five-year deal reportedly amounting to an initial £10 million, believed to reach £12m with certain add-ons.

Officially, the exact fee has been undisclosed.

23-year-old Tavernier, born in Leeds, has already eclipsed 150 games of professional football, making his debut as an 18-year-old for Boro against Scunthorpe United in the EFL Cup.

He provided an assist for Ashley Fletcher in a 3-0 win, and he would score his first senior goal in the same competition, coincidentally against Cherries.

Tavernier’s second-half strike briefly cancelled out Jack Simpson’s opener, but it proved for naught as goals from Callum Wilson and Benik Afobe saw Cherries advance past Middlesbrough and into the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

Bournemouth Echo: Tavernier celebrates his first ever senior goal, which came against Cherries (Pic: PA)Tavernier celebrates his first ever senior goal, which came against Cherries (Pic: PA)

Despite a lengthy association with the Teessiders, Tavernier started his career at Newcastle United, before departing the Magpies for Boro at under-14 level.

His brother, Rangers star James Tavernier, also started off at Newcastle, with seven years separating the siblings.

Aside from an eight-game stint on loan at Milton Keynes Dons in 2018, Tavernier has played all of his senior football in the red of Middlesbrough.

He has also made numerous appearances for England at under-19 and under-20 level, playing eight times for the former, and 15 times for the latter between 2017 and 2019.

Whilst on paper the midfield looks to be Cherries’ strongest area of the pitch, especially in terms of depth, Tavernier’s potential and versatility could prove beneficial if he agrees on a switch to the south coast.

A left-footer, Tavernier is also strong with his weaker foot, as shown by the tendency of his managers to place him on the right-side of the pitch.

Over the years he has been deployed as a wing-back on either flank, as well as a traditional winger.

However, he is more than suited to operating in the centre of the park. Since Chris Wilder took over at the Riverside, he had largely been used as a central midfielder, but in the past he has played further up the pitch behind the strikers, whilst on other occasions he has dropped back to act as a shield in front of the defence.

Wilder was clearly a fan of the 23-year-old, as evident by the fact that since Wilder became Boro boss in early November, Tavernier missed just 58 minutes of football – as he was briefly rested during Middlesbrough’s third round FA Cup win over Mansfield Town.

Tavernier played the full 120 minutes in both of Boro’s wins against Premier League opposition during their run to the quarter-finals, helping Middlesbrough to wins over Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Last season he played 48 times, scoring five goals and providing five assists in a Boro team that narrowly missed out on the play-offs.

It is believed that Middlesbrough tried everything to keep Tavernier at the Riverside, offering the midfielder a new deal.

However, so set on a move to the Premier League, Tavernier reportedly pushed for the move to be completed.