ADAM Smith admitted he did not expect to reach a decade of service with Cherries when he signed permanently at the Vitality Stadium in January 2013.
31-year-old Smith had enjoyed a temporary spell on loan with Cherries a few years prior, before returning to the club on a permanent basis from Tottenham Hotspur during the 2013-14 campaign.
If the right-back features against Newcastle United this weekend, he will become just the third player to have featured in 150 Premier League appearances for Cherries – meaning he will have missed just 47 of the Dorset club’s games in the top-flight.
After signing a one-year extension this summer, Smith looks set to reach a continuous decade on the south coast, remaining at a club he has made over 350 appearances for.
Reflecting on the upcoming milestones, Smith shared: “You don't see it often these days.
“When I first joined Bournemouth, I honestly didn’t expect to be in ten years.
“It's obviously a great achievement. I’m quite proud that I've lasted here 10 years and like I said, you don't really see it often these days.
“So, yeah, quite proud of myself.”
When asked to pick out his most memorable moment in his Premier League career to date, Smith highlighted his first strike in the Prem, a goal that sparked a comeback in the 3-3 draw with Everton.
Smith calmly plucked the ball out of the air, before knuckling his shot into the top left corner of the goal from outside the box.
The right-back replied: “It’s tough that - but obviously my first goal probably is the standout one and it was quite a crazy game as well.
“It was 2-0 down against Everton at half time, and then I come on and scored great goal and then it ended up being 3-3 in the end.
“That one probably sticks out the most to be fair, because it was my first goal.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here