Defoe returns to Bournemouth on 3-year deal

Bournemouth completed the formality of Jermain Defoe's unveiling on Thursday after the 34-year-old inked a three-year contract on the south coast.

The striker exercised a clause in his Sunderland deal which allowed him to leave the club for free if it was relegated. News of Defoe agreeing a switch to Bournemouth surfaced in May.

Defoe previously represented the Cherries as a teenager in a loan spell from West Ham United in the 2000-01 season, and showed his natural ability to sniff out chances. Safeguarding matters at the back for Bournemouth in that campaign was his new manager, Eddie Howe.

"It's great to be back and I'm really looking forward to this challenge," Defoe said. "When the opportunity came about to return to AFC Bournemouth I just knew it was the right one.

"It was an easy decision, joining a top team with a top manager. It's a great place to be."

Sunderland was bereft of fight as it finished bottom of the Premier League table in 2016-17, but Defoe was one of the few players deserving credit. He netted 15 times in 37 league outings - amounting to more than half of the Black Cats' total goals - helping him win his first England appearance in nearly three-and-a-half years last March.

"This a huge moment for the football club and another step in the right direction," Howe declared.

"We want to bring players here who can have a big impact on our continued rise and we believe Jermain fits that as a natural, proven goal scorer.

"We have known him for a long time, since working with him as a young pro and playing with him. I have followed his career and am delighted to say he is going to be playing for AFC Bournemouth again."

Defoe's addition should make Bournemouth a more dangerous proposition. The Cherries' top scorer last term was Joshua King, with an impressive 16 strikes, but some way behind in second was Junior Stanislas with seven.

Bournemouth kicks of the 2017-18 Premier League season away at West Bromwich Albion on Aug. 12.