Accrington Stanley have made Bournemouth midfielder Matt Butcher their fourth summer signing.

The 23-year-old has signed a two-year deal at the Wham Stadium, John Coleman finally getting his man having previously tried to sign him on loan.

Butcher has been with the Cherries since he was 13, had various non-league loan spells as well as spending time at League Two Yeovil in 2016.

Last season he was on loan with Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone where he made seven appearances before the season was halted by the coronavirus pandemic.

“Matt is someone we tried to sign last season on loan so to get him on a permanent deal is a big coup for us,” said Coleman.

“He is a talented player, a big presence in midfield and I am looking forward to working with him.

“Hopefully he can hit the ground running with us. We are a little bit short in midfield so this is a big signing for us.”

Having made just two cup appearances for the Cherries, Butcher is relishing having a new permanent home in East Lancashire where he will provide competition for captain Seamus Conneely and Sam Finley among others.

He said: “I am a central midfielder, I would describe myself as a box-to-box midfielder who likes to get about the pitch.

“I am raring to go, my loan spell at St Johnstone was cut short by Covid and I want to get back into the swing of things as quickly as possible.

“This is a permanent deal, a great opportunity for me.”

Coleman has already welcomed new signings Cameron Burgesss and loanees Ryan Cassidy and Tom Allan to the club this summer.