CHERRIES’ promotion hero Matt Ritchie is back on the south coast, signing a two-year deal with Portsmouth.

Ritchie was in the crowd at Vitality Stadium on Sunday, to watch Cherries’ pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano and has often been linked with a move back to the Dorset club.

A report then surfaced on Tuesday suggesting the 34-year-old was set for a return to Cherries, having become a free agent following his release by Newcastle United this summer.

However, that story was wide of the mark, Ritchie in fact sealing a deal along the coast at newly-promoted Portsmouth in the Championship.

Gosport-born Ritchie started his career at Pompey, before moving on to Swindon Town.

Cherries signed the winger from the Robins in January 2013 and he went on to become a key player in the club’s promotions up from League One and then the Championship.

Ritchie missed just one game in Cherries’ first top-flight campaign in 2015-16, scoring four goals, including a stunning volley against Sunderland.

Having made 142 appearances, scoring 31 goals, the Scotland international joined Newcastle in the summer of 2016, remaining there for eight seasons.

Ritchie ended a four-year goal drought last season, netting a late equaliser in February’s 2-2 draw with Cherries at St James’ Park.