Defoe confirms Bournemouth move

Following Sunderland's relegation from the Premier League, striker Jermaine Defoe has confirmed that he will be joining Bournemouth. The veteran England striker has been strongly linked with the move, but it was not until today that he confirmed that an agreement had been reached. 

Defoe, who had a loan spell with Bournemouth in the 2000-01 season, confirmed that he has completed a medical with Eddie Howe's side and will shortly complete the move South. 

The attacker put himself back in contention for international selection after firing fifteen league goals for a struggling Sunderland team that offered very little else in the attacking department. 

Despite now being thirty-four-years-old, Jermaine Defoe is desperate to make the England squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He knows that playing Premier League football will give him a much greater chance of doing so and a release clause in his Sunderland contract will allow the move. 

Defoe was selected in Gareth Southgate's latest England squad, who are preparing to face Scotland in Saturday's World Cup qualifier. The Three Lions will then remain together for a friendly against France next week.