JUNIOR Stanislas has joined AFC Bournemouth after rejecting the chance of a Premier League return with Burnley.

The winger was offered new terms after helping the Clarets secure automatic promotion from the Championship in the latter stages of his contract.

But after finding opportunities for regular first team football limited at Turf Moor last season the former West Ham wide man has opted for a reunion with his former Burnley boss, Eddie Howe, at the Goldsands Stadium.

Stanislas, who has signed a three-year deal, admitted that it took “careful deliberation” before he reached his decision, with the prospect of playing top flight football again a tempting offer.

He made more than 40 Premier League appearances before leaving his boyhood club for the Clarets, with Howe first signing the former England Under 21 international for Burnley on the 2011 August transfer deadline day, for an undisclosed fee from West Ham.

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And the 24-year-old said the chance to work with Howe again, with the aim of being part of another promotion push with Bournemouth, was one that he felt he could not pass up.

“He (Howe) is brilliant. I was playing at West Ham and then I got to a point where I wasn’t really and he gave me a way out,” he said.

“He always had faith in me and stuck with me and gave me a lot of games and experience at Burnley so when I knew Bournemouth were interested, with Eddie Howe as manager, I really wanted to come down here and work with him again.

“I think it was a successful season last year and with one or two additions, and because there are a great bunch of lads here already, hopefully we can take it one step further.

“Looking around the place and talking to the manager, I know the club on the whole are very ambitious.

“I think we definitely have to aim high this season and look for maybe the play-offs or some type of promotion.”

Stanislas played an important role in Burnley achieving promotion to the Premier League as runners-up last season, scoring in a 2-0 win over Doncaster Rovers in late March as the Clarets neared the finishing line.

But it is perhaps his opening goal in a 1-1 derby draw at home to Blackburn Rovers last September that the wide man will perhaps be best remembered for by Clarets fans.

And Stanislas admitted it was a moment he would cherish as he moved onto the next chapter in his career.

“After careful deliberation I have decided to turn down the offer of a contract extension with Burnley Football Club and move on to pastures new,” he said.

“I would like to thank the Burnley fans for their support over the three years. The crowd reaction after I scored against Blackburn will live with me forever.

“I wish my team mates, the fans and all the staff every success for the coming season in the Premier League.”

n Meanwhile, Michael Kightly is expected to complete his permanent switch to Turf Moor today.

The winger was on loan with the Clarets from Stoke City last season.