EMOTIONAL Jason Pearce admitted he would never forget his time at Dean Court after sealing a dream move to the Championship with Portsmouth.

The Cherries captain yesterday penned at three-year deal at Fratton Park in a move reported to be worth around £300,000 to the Dorset club.

Defender Pearce returns to the club he left four years ago, but will miss the start of the new season after being sent off in his final Cherries match – the League One play-off semi-final at Huddersfield.

Speaking to the Echo last night, Pearce said: “I’ve had four fantastic years at Bournemouth and they gave me my chance to play regular football.

“I’ve had a fantastic time there and I’ll always keep that really close to my heart. It’s a great club and I’ll never forget it.

“It’s not down to the money with me. I loved it at Bourne-mouth, I was captain there and I was desperate to help take the club forward, but unfortunately we missed out in the play-offs.

“I have made some really good friends at Bournemouth – friends for life. I hope I leave with good grace and that people will remember me for the right reasons.

“It’s a great squad, with a lot of youngsters and the team spirit is something I will probably never have again in my career. The lads are so close. It was unbelievable and it’s something special.

“They have a great set of lads there and I’m sure they will carry on with the success they have had in recent years.

“But you have to think about yourself as well and your career and I felt it was the right time to move on.”

Pearce was signed by Kevin Bond on a free transfer in 2007 and made 159 league appearances, experiencing both relegation and promotion during his time at Dean Court.

Peterborough earlier this month had a bid for the 23-year-old, believed to have been in the region of £500,000, turned down by Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell after a 50 per cent sell-on clause was discovered in the defender’s contract.

Portsmouth, meanwhile, were understood to have had two bids of their own rejected before coming back with a third offer late on Thursday evening.

Reflecting on the past few weeks, Pearce added: “I spoke to my agent a lot and he tried to keep my head straight and made me go away on holiday and try to enjoy a break.

“But I found it hard because my future was on my mind. I’m the type of person who needs to know what’s going on and know straight away and it wasn’t that simple.

“It’s been tough and it’s been tough to leave Bournemouth because the club is so close to my heart, but you have to move on and this was my time.”