Bournemouth confirm £10m signing of Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic on long-term deal
Shot stopper has already had a spell with the Cherries in 2007 on loan but has now signed permanently
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BOURNEMOUTH boss Eddie Howe has completed his first signing of the summer with a £10million deal for Chelsea keeper Asmir Begovic.
The 29-year-old Bosnian international has signed a five-year contract at the Vitality Stadium after agreeing personal terms on Tuesday.
Begovic spent two years as understudy to Thibaut Courtois at Chelsea following an £8milliion move from Stoke in 2015.
But he managed only two Premier League appearances for the Champions this season and was allowed to leave by Antonio Conte to pursue regular first team football.
He was ready to sign for Bournemouth in January but the deal was put on ice when Chelsea failed to buy
Celtic’s Craig Gordon as a replacement back-up.
Watford agreed to match Bournemouth’s £10million offer on the final day of the January transfer window and Crystal Palace had also showed an interest.
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But Begovic has opted for a move to the South Coast, where he will challenge Artur Boruc for the keeper’s shirt.
Following his move, Begovic told t: "AFC Bournemouth is an exciting, ambitious club which has everything in place for a very bright future.
“Being part of a title-winning team at Chelsea was amazing but I felt now was the right time to move on because I want to be playing regular football.
“I am coming into an important part of my career and I want to show people what I am capable of.
“When I spoke to Eddie Howe I knew AFC Bournemouth was the right club for me and I want to bring my experience to the squad, both on and off the pitch.
“I’m really excited to be part of the journey here and hope I can help take the club to another level.”
Howe is looking to get his summer transfer business sorted as quickly as possible and will now look to tie up a deal for striker Jermain Defoe on a free transfer from Sunderland.
