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Defoe confirms he's joining Bournemouth

Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has confirmed that he is joining Bournemouth.

The England international suffered relegation with the Black Cats in the 2016-17 season, despite a productive campaign on a personal level that saw him score 15 league goals.

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Indeed, that's the second full season in succession that Defoe has managed to score 15 times in the Premier League since his move from Toronto FC in 2015.

But a clause in his contract allowed him to speak to rival clubs should Sunderland suffer relegation, with Defoe now confirming he is returning to Bournemouth, who he played for on loan in the 2000-01 season.

He told BBC Radio Five Live: "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 its 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'."

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