Transfer Centre

Jermain Defoe: 'Mum swayed Bournemouth move'

By Matt Law, Football EditorPublished: 01 July 2017 1:08 PM

England international Jermain Defoe reveals that his mother played a part in the forward deciding to re-join Bournemouth in this summer's transfer window.

Jermain Defoe has revealed that the reaction of his mother to interest from Bournemouth made it easy for the England international to join the Cherries in this summer's transfer window.

Defoe, 34, scored 19 times during a loan spell at Bournemouth during the 2000-01 campaign, and is now back with the club after penning a three-year contract on Thursday following his release from Sunderland.

It is understood that a number of other clubs were also interested in Defoe, but the experienced forward has said that it was not a difficult decision to return to the Vitality Stadium.

"When this opportunity came around, as soon as I looked at my mum I just knew. She was so excited. We always hoped at some point later on down the line that I would get an opportunity to represent this club again," Defoe told reporters.

"They didn't really have to sell the club to me. It's a unique situation with me being at the club before. It's where I made my name. It's special for me and my family. My mum and dad came to every home game."

Defoe scored 15 Premier League goals for Sunderland during the 2016-17 campaign.