LEWIS Cook wants to remain an AFC Bournemouth player for as long as possible – sharing his excitement at the “upward trajectory” of the club.

Midfield maestro Cook saw a clause in his contract met last season, extending his current terms at Vitality Stadium to the end of the 2025/26 season.

That would take the one-time England international to a decade of service as a Cherry, the York-born player arriving on the south coast from Leeds United for a fee of £7million in 2016.

But Cook, currently 27, loves being a part of Cherries so much that he wants to remain in Dorset as long as he can.

Speaking on Ty Temel’s Off Script podcast, Cook shared: “I just want to keep improving as a player and a person.

“I think we’ve got the new manager in and he’s done really well, so keep learning from him.

“I think as a club, hopefully we continue to improve and progress. If I can stay around, that would be amazing."

Asked specifically if had any thoughts about going abroad towards the end of his career, Cook insisted that his focus remains on Cherries.

“I’d never say never," he restarted.

"If you’ve got the opportunity to go away and experience something new, it’s a good project, a lot of people do.

“I’m just loving Bournemouth at the moment, I feel like the Premier League is the best league in the world in my opinion, the club is doing well at the moment.

“So I’ll think I’ll see how long I can stay here for.”

Cook went on to share how his excitement has only grown since Bill Foley led Black Knight Football Club’s takeover of Cherries in 2022.

Aside from investment in the first team, Cherries are nearly completion of their new training ground base at Canford Magna, with construction hoped to be finished by the end of this year.

“I feel like the ownership come over quite a lot,” continued Cook.

“They’re really nice people, if you need anything, they’ll help you and stuff.

“I’ve seen little things, around the stadium, training ground obviously getting built, just feels like there’s more of an upwards trajectory.

“There’s lot of stuff going on. The players they’re bringing in are top, top players, it’s just exciting to be honest.

“Overall there’s just a bit more energy in and around the club, bit more enthusiasm I’d say.

“I’ve been there nine years nearly now and I think at the start when I first joined they said they were going to build a new training ground.

“Now it’s actually happening, it’s exciting for everyone.”