Defoe eager to start next chapter with Cherries

ENGLAND striker Jermain Defoe is looking forward to playing his part in the next chapter of Bournemouth’s “unique story” when he returns from his summer break.

The 34-year-old is set to leave Sunderland after the Black Cats were relegated from the Premier League.

Defoe — who will be part of England’s attack against Scotland in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park — had a spell at Bournemouth earlier in his career, and is reported to have agreed a three-year deal at the Vitality Stadium, worth £60,000 per week.

“What I want to do is get my head down and focus on England, the two games, and then after that everyone will know,” Defoe said.

“It’s documented, about Bournemouth thing.

“It’s a club close to my heart anyway, for obvious reasons. I was the there as a kid. I think I was 18, on loan from West Ham.

“It’s a special place, with a top manager, and a team that’s done so well from where they’ve come from. A unique story.”

Defoe is said to have been able to leave Sunderland on a free transfer because of a clause in his contract regarding relegation.

Defoe added: “It’s out there, a lot of people obviously knew, I did a medical and said when this is finished and I’ve had a break, come July everyone will know anyway.

“Two and a bit years at Sunderland, I enjoyed my time there, it’s not nice when you get relegated, I don’t think it’s fair on the Sunderland fans to come out so soon after they’ve been relegated and say ‘yeah, I’m signing for someone else’.

“It’s too soon to put it out there. At the right time, I would like to say ‘this is the club I’ll be playing for’.”

Jackie McNamara