Bournemouth have completed the signing of French defender Sylvain Distin on a one-year deal following his release by Everton.

Distin is Bournemouth’s sixth signing of the summer, following the arrival of Tyrone Mings from Ipswich for £8million. They have also signed goalkeepers Artur Boruc and Adam Federici, and striker Josh king, all on free transfers.

While they have agreed a deal with Chelsea to take their Ghanian international Christian Atsu on loan for the season.

Wealth Of Premier League Experience

Distin brings with him a wealth of Premier League experience, Bournemouth are his fifth Premier League club, after spells with Newcastle, Manchester City, Portsmouth and Everton. The move to Bournemouth sees Distin moving back to the south coast, having spent two years with Portsmouth. This is one the things that said to have lured Distin to Bournemouth.

Distin first arrived in England, when he was loaned to Newcastle from Paris St Germain for the 2001/02 season, he impressed for Newcastle, though he wasn’t playing in his favoured position of centre-back, instead Newcastle used Distin as a left-back. The Magpies wanted to sign Distin on a permanent deal, but Distin opted to join Manchester City, because he could play in his preferred position.

After five years in Manchester, he moved to the south coast and Portsmouth at the end of his contract. After his two years with Portsmouth, where he won the FA Cup in the 2007/08 season, he moved to Everton and Goodison Park for £5million.

He would spend six years on Merseyside with Everton, during in this time he would be a regular starter for Everton, he racked up 210 appearances for the club for the Merseysiders, playing in an Everton side that regularly finish in the top half of the Premier League table.

Distin arrives at Dean Court with 457 Premier Appearances to his name, all his experience will be vital to Bournemouth if they are going to stay in the Premier League. Even when he’s not on the pitch, his experience will still be a massive help not just to the players but also manager Eddie Howe.  

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About the author
Andy Hyslop
Manchester United season ticket holder and sports nut. Thought about writing about sport for a long and decided to go for it before it was too late. Currently studying a Freelance Journalism course with the long-term goal of becoming a Freelance Sports Journalist