SUPPORTERS sprinted on the concrete surrounding Vitality Stadium. It was more like a 100m race than the arrival of a new signing.

The extent to which a select group of supporters strained to catch a glimpse of Jack Wilshere as evening fell showed just how big an arrival the Arsenal man was.

Kids rushed as fast as their legs could carry them and white-collared men slipped away early from their day jobs to make it to the ground. Those who could not get there followed social media intently – everyone seemed to have an interest in the England midfielder.

The club had even employed security officials to ensure no supporters strayed beyond the hastily-assembled metal fence around the back of the stadium. Thankfully, fans were excited rather than boisterous.

There was a certain sense that even though this was not a permanent transfer, it remained one of the biggest – or perhaps most impressive – signings the club had ever made.

After all, it is not every day a full England international comes to Bournemouth. Wilshere featured at Euro 2016 and would surely have been more prominent had he been anywhere near fit. It was obvious that former Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson was a huge fan.

Yesterday was a rollercoaster day. At one point Crystal Palace were favourites to bring in Wilshere. Then, it was Roma. All of a sudden, Cherries were the frontrunners.

If speculation is to be believed, the likes of AC Milan, Sporting Lisbon and Benfica were also admirers of the 24-year-old and Cherries beat them all to it.

The Dorset club has had more than the average amount of watershed moments in recent years and this was another one.

The influence of Benik Afobe in the transfer will surely soon become clear. Afobe is a close friend with Wilshere from the pair's days together at Arsenal. He is also godfather to Wilshere's daughter.

It would be madness to think he had not endeared Wilshere to the idea of making the switch to the south coast.

The move was discussed by fans all day and eventually confirmed by the club at 9.30pm last night. And it was not the only one to come in late, with Cherries youngster Baily Cargill securing a loan switch to League One Gillingham.

The defender, who spent time at Coventry City last term, penned a temporary deal which ensured he would remain with the Sky Blues until January. The 21-year-old will be hopeful his move to the Gills will secure him plenty of game time.

England Under-20 international Cargill previously enjoyed temporary spells with Torquay United and Welling.

He made four appearances for Cherries in cup competitions last term, two in the League Cup and two in the FA Cup.

Cargill bagged his first international goal at Dean Court when he made his England Under-20s debut in a 2-2 draw against Canada in November 2014.