After some speculation, AFC Bournemouth have announced that they have captured the signing of experienced defender Ian Harte, who was released by Championship rivals Reading at the end of last season.
Speaking in the Bournemouth Evening Echo, Harte is quoted as saying: "I met Eddie Howe on Saturday and just having an hour’s chat with him pretty much convinced me to sign. He is a good manager and a young manager and, like me, he is hungry. We both want to push on and do the best we can. This club has a great deal of ambition and it was a great achievement to get promotion I am just looking forward to the challenge ahead. The club is going places and I just wanted to be a part of it".
Manager Eddie Howe was quoted as saying: "I am delighted to get someone with Ian’s experience and technical quality. We are looking forward to working with him and I am sure he will be a welcome addition to the squad. He impressed me when I used to watch him for Leeds. He is an excellent crosser and passer of the ball and his set-piece delivery is an added bonus. He has got a lot of the qualities we look for in a player. He has played in the Premier League and he will help our young squad. It was important we filled the position with someone who knows the game".