GOALKEEPER Calum Ward has left Cherries to join HIFK Helsinki on a permanent deal.

The 20-year-old moved to the Finnish outfit on loan in January and has now put pen-to-paper on a longer term transfer, ahead of the Veikkausliiga season beginning next month.

Ward, who joined Cherries aged 13, never featured for the first team, spending time out on loan at the likes of Totton & Eling, Bashley, Thatcham Town and Weymouth.

"The three months I’ve been here in Helsinki have gone by really fast," Ward told the HIFK website.

"I’ve enjoyed my time here and everyone in the squad have been really welcoming to me. We’ve got a good team and I think I’ll get the chance to play some matches here, so I was happy to stay on.

"Hopefully we’ll soon get back to playing in front of our supporters. It’s something that the whole team is looking forward to."

Sporting director Mika Lonnstrom added: "Calum has adapted well to his new surroundings and our team. He’s a young goalkeeper with a lot of potential.

"During the spring he’s convinced the coaching staff of his skills. At HIFK we want to give young players, like Calum, the opportunity to grow and progress in their careers.

"It’s not every day you see someone transfer from England to Finland, so this is a big deal for us as well."

HIFK finished eighth in a curtailed 2020 campaign.

They are managed by former Brighton, Luton and Stoke City assistant manager Joaquin Gomez.