FULL-BACK Max Aarons says seeing boss Andoni Iraola sign a new contract “gives the whole club confidence”.

After an influential first season in charge, Iraola has put pen-to-paper on a fresh deal, which ties him to Cherries until 2026.

The Spaniard was plucked after his contract at Rayo Vallecano came to an end last summer.

And, after a slow start results wise, he guided Cherries to a 12th-placed finish in the Premier League, achieving 48 points, their highest ever top-flight tally.

Iraola was subsequently named on a five-man shortlist for Premier League manager of the season, losing out to Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, whose team won the title.

Asked how good it was to see Iraola sign a new contract, Aarons told the Daily Echo: “It’s brilliant to see he’s signed a new deal.

“I think it gives the whole club confidence, it gives the whole place a real good feeling.

“And then obviously with the style of play,  you can see that we’ve got some great results this season and finished in a really good spot and on good points.

“It’s been a really good season as a club.”

Cherries will begin their third successive top-flight season on the weekend of August 17.