Cherries boss Lee Bradbury today ended his exhaustive search for a striker when he signed Crawley Town’s Wes Thomas.

The 24-year-old has joined Cherries initially for a maximum 93 days on an emergency loan and will make the move permanent in the January transfer window. He will be available until December 10 but will then have to sit out until the new year.

Cherries have agreed an undisclosed six-figure fee with Crawley and Thomas will eventually pen a two-and-a-half year contract. News of the former Cheltenham striker’s signing was revealed exclusively on the Daily Echo’s Twitter feed earlier today.

Boss Bradbury told the club website: "This is a really positive signing for the club. I have watched him and he has a good goalscoring record, particularly last season when he scored 18 league goals for Cheltenham.

"He will give us good pace, he is strong, willing, works hard and holds the ball up well for the team. It is a great signing and will give everyone a lift around the club."

Bradbury, meanwhile, said he hoped to further bolster his squad with a midfielder but added that he had no immediate plans to draft in defensive cover.