JUSTIN Kluivert is confident there are still plenty of goals in Cherries’ squad, despite the exit of top scorer Dominic Solanke.

Striker Solanke netted 19 of Cherries’ 54 Premier League goals last season, earning him a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Cherries are on the hunt for a replacement, but may not get their new man in time for the start of the Premier League season this Saturday.

Kluivert was Cherries’ second top scorer in all competitions last season, his debut campaign in England, scoring nine times in 36 appearances.

Antoine Semenyo scored eight goals, but the next highest was centre-back Marcos Senesi and winger Marcus Tavernier, with four each.

Reflecting on the loss of Solanke, Kluivert said: “That’s football and that’s the beauty of it. If you do it good like Dom, he deserves this step.

“I’m proud of him and happy for him.

“It’s a pity. That’s a lot of goals we’re going to miss this season.

“But those are shoes to fill in for somebody else.”

The Dutchman added: “After the great season last year from Solanke, you can’t hold onto him, it’s tough.

“It’s nice to give him a chance in his career to go a level up, which he earned.

“Let’s see who can fill up those shoes and do the same he has done, or at least try.”

Kluivert returned from injury to feature in the final pre-season friendly of the summer, scoring in the 3-2 win over Girona on Saturday.

The 25-year-old netted from the penalty spot, taking that responsibility on after previous spot-kick taker Solanke’s departure.

Asked if he has staked his claim to take on that role on a permanent basis, Kluivert said: “I spoke and said who is going to take it now?

“I said I would step up, for sure. I did it and scored it. I hope that is going to be an extra few goals for me this season.

“In Valencia I took them also. I scored against the coach (Andoni Iraola’s Rayo Vallecano), so he will remember!

“I’m confident I can do it, so why not?”

Luis Sinisterra and Daniel Jebbison also scored against Girona as Iraola’s trialled three different players at centre-forward during the contest.

“Somebody is going to step up,” insisted Kluivert.

“I think we have a lot of great quality in the team that can do that.

“Maybe diversity also as well, it will be nice if a lot of players score a lot of goals.

“We have strikers of course, but now Dom has left, for sure we will need somebody. Let’s see who will come.”

Discussing his own hopes for the upcoming season, Kluivert added: “Last year was nice, I had a good season, but I’m not satisfied yet. I’m always hungry for more.

“Last season was alright in my eyes. I think with the position where I played and the quality I have, I need to reach many more goals. I know I can and I won’t settle for less.

“It is my second year now coming up. In my first year, everything was new.

“Now I know what to expect, where I go and against who I play. I can know some stuff and learn from that.

“That’s why I can’t wait to get started this season.”