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Sylvain Distin signs for Bournemouth after Everton exit

Bournemouth have announced the signing of veteran defender Sylvain Distin on a one-year contract.

Distin, 37, joins the newly promoted Premier League side after his contract at Everton expired, bringing an end to a six-year stay at Goodison Park.

The centre-back made over 200 appearances for Everton after joining the club from Portsmouth, having previously played for the likes of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

Distin told his new club's official website: "There is a lot you can say about the Premier League but the most important thing is to live it, to be into it and that's what's going to happen to them.

"Everybody is going to have a different experience of it and everybody is going to have a different expectations as well but the most important thing for them is to enjoy.

"It's an amazing experience, it's an amazing place to be and you just have to enjoy it. It's amazing at my age to still be here -- that's going to be an amazing challenge as well.

"It's a tough one, I'm fully aware of it, but very exciting and there's no better place to be."

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe said: "I see Sylvain playing a similar role to the one Ian Harte played.

"Off the pitch, he is someone the younger players can turn to in times when they need to speak to someone who has seen it and done it.

"Ian was invaluable to us in that respect last season and the season before when he had experience in the Championship and no one else had.

"Sylvain now takes on that role and on the pitch I still think he has a huge amount to offer.

"He still has his athleticism and is technically very good. We are very pleased to have him."