Bournemouth make Ivory Coast’s Max Gradel their seventh summer signing

Bournemouth have announced the signing of Max Gradel from St Etienne for an undisclosed free, subject to Premier League approval and international clearance.

The forward has signed a four-year contract and passed a medical to become the manager Eddie Howe’s seventh summer signing as he prepares his team for their first ever season in the Premier League.

The Ivory Coast international, 27, was twice loaned to Bournemouth during the 2007-08 season and also worked with Howe while the latter was a coach at Leicester.

His 17 goals in 23 starts significantly contributed to St Etienne’s fifth-placed Ligue 1 finish in the 2014-15 season.