Jermain Defoe returns to Bournemouth on three-year deal

Jermain Defoe has promised to bring goals to Bournemouth again after completing his move back to the club. The 34‑year‑old striker has joined on a free after exercising a relegation release clause in his Sunderland contract.

Defoe, who scored in a club-record 10 consecutive league games for Bournemouth during a loan spell in 2000-01, said the decision to sign a three-year deal there had been straightforward.

“It’s great to be back and I’m really looking forward to this challenge,” he 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. The Bournemouth fans know that every time I pull the shirt on I will give 100%, and the one thing I can guarantee is goals.”

Bournemouth have invested heavily in Defoe’s wages and Eddie Howe – a former team-mate – was delighted to have got his man. “This is a huge moment for the football club and another step in the right direction,” the manager said.

“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 goalscorer. 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 scored 15 Premier League goals last season to force his way back into the England squad. In a farewell message to Sunderland fans on Twitter he referred to his friendship with the terminally ill six‑year-old Bradley Lowery.

He wrote: “I feel blessed to have played for such a great football club with some of the best fans I have ever come across. The highlight of my time has to be walking out with Bradley against Everton and that volley against Newcastle – a goal people still come up and talk to me about!! I want to wish everyone at Sunderland the best for the future.”