CHERRIES have confirmed the signing of Ukrainian international Illia Zabarnyi from Dynamo Kiev.

The 20-year-old arrives at the Vitality Stadium for a fee believed to be worth around £24million, with the centre-back signing a deal until the summer of 2028.

According to Dynamo Kiev, a charity match will be held between the two teams in the near future.

Capped 24 times by Ukraine, Zabarnyi represented his country at the Euros in 2021.

AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake told the club website: “We are absolutely delighted to bring Illia to the club and he arrives with a burgeoning CV.

“Despite only being 20, he has played at the highest level for club and country and has established himself as one of the most sought-after young defenders in the world.

“We are very much looking forward to seeing him continue his development with us and know he will be a valued and important member of our squad.”

The deal for the defender moved quickly, with Cherries agreeing a fee in the morning, before Zabarnyi flew to England to complete a medical ahead of tonight’s 11pm deadline.

Zabarnyi becomes Cherries’ fifth addition of the window, and their first signing on deadline day.

As Zabarnyi is under the age of 21, he will not need to be registered for Premier League fixtures, saving a precious spot in Cherries’ 25-man squad.

A league and cup winner with Dynamo Kiev, Zabarnyi has played his entire career in his native Ukraine.

Aside from international experience with Ukraine, Zabarnyi has featured in the Champions League and Europa League for Kyiv.