Bournemouth seal £10m Marcus Tavernier transfer from Middlesbrough ahead of Premier League opener

BOURNEMOUTH have completed the £10million signing of Middlesbrough’s Marcus Tavernier.

The 23-year-old midfielder has penned a five-year deal with Scott Parker’s newly-promoted Premier League side.

Tavernier said: “I'm happy to be here, it's been a long time coming.

“I'm sure everyone has seen in the press it's been something that's been going on in the background, and I'm just delighted to be here now.”

Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake said: “We are very pleased to have brought Marcus in.

“He was one of the standout performers in the Championship last season, and will be a good fit with our squad.

“He has a great pedigree, tremendous energy and is a versatile young player who can play a number of different positions.”

The Cherries have had a quiet summer so far with just three new additions.

Former West Ham right-back Ryan Fredericks and ex-Blackburn midfielder Joe Rothwell have come through the door on free transfers before Tavernier’s arrival.

The ace only had two years remaining on his contract at the Riverside but he and his representatives made their mind up on the Bournemouth move last week.

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Boro offered Tavernier a new deal, but the ex-England U20 international declined that to step-up to the top tier.

Tavernier is a product of Boro’s academy and made 155 appearances after making his debut against Scunthorpe United in the Carabao Cup back in August 2017.

He scored the first of his 18 goals against Bournemouth a few weeks later in the same competition.