DEPARTING Zeno Ibsen Rossi issued an emotional goodbye to Cherries after his move to League One Cambridge United.

Centre-back Ibsen Rossi, who was thrusted into the first-time picture at the start of last season, played four league games as Cherries went on to secure a return to the Premier League.

After arriving from south coast neighbours Southampton five years ago, Ibsen Rossi shared that he had become fond of Cherries after the hurt he felt being released at 16 by Saints.

On a post on his social media, the centre-back shared: “I came to AFC Bournemouth as a 16-year-old, hurting after being released from another club, and found a home in Bournemouth on and off the pitch.

“Into six seasons later and now I feel it is the best time to move on elsewhere with my journey.

"From playing with my best mates in youth cup games to playing for the first team in front of the Cherries fans, I’ve treasured every experience on the way.

"To have played a small part in what this club achieved last season was a dream come true.

“A huge thank you to all the staff through all the age groups and around the club, all the players I’ve had the pleasure of playing with and the Bournemouth fans for your support.”

It was a theme expounded upon in Ibsen Rossi’s interview with Cambridge United’s website: “I think leaving Bournemouth, a club I’ve been at since I was young, not a kid, since I was 16, it’s not easy.

“But I think the idea of finding a home here on and off the pitch is really exciting to me.

“This is one of the reasons for coming to this club. The last couple of seasons have been amazing for this club, and I can only see it going one way. So I want to be a part of that.

Ibsen Rossi also revealed that he spoke with former Cherry Sam Sherring about the club, after his fellow defender finished last campaign on loan with Cambridge prior to departing for Northampton Town this summer.

He also got in touch with current U’s left-back Brandon Haunstrup, after the pair shared a dressing room when Ibsen Rossi was on loan at Kilmarnock during the 2020-21 campaign.

“Brandon, who just recently signed, I was on loan with him a couple of years ago, my first loan away from Bournemouth, up in Scotland.

"He’s a good lad. I knew, obviously, Sam Sheering came on loan here last season and he only had good things to say about the club."