Partington joins Radio Solent as Cherries pundit

Joe Partington was at AFC Bournemouth for nine years

Former AFC Bournemouth defender Joe Partington has joined BBC Radio Solent as the new summariser for its coverage of the club.

He replaces John "Willo" Williams, who left the station at the end of last season after 23 years as football pundit.

Partington joined AFC Bournemouth in 2006 and remained there for nine years, clocking up 52 appearances for the senior team.

Having only recently retired from playing, he said he was eager to get "stuck in" to his new role, supporting commentator Jordan Clark at the Cherries' first-team fixtures.

He said: "My role will be to support Jordan with the co-commentary.

"He does an amazing job of it, of painting a picture of what's happening so people can understand on the radio what's going on.

"My role will be to support the picture he's painting by giving some insight and expertise of different moments within the game."

Mr Williams announced his retirement from broadcasting in May

Clark said he was "really pleased" to be welcoming Partington to the team, adding: "He provided Bournemouth fans with some excellent insight and analysis in our Cherries: Unpicked episodes on BBC Sounds last season and I know he'll do the same during our live commentary of the games.

"It's an exciting time to be covering the Cherries and I'm looking forward to hopefully describing more memorable moments for Bournemouth fans alongside Joe this season."

Partington said it was a "privilege to sit in the same seat" left by his predecessor, Willo.

"I'm conscious and aware of the role I'm stepping into, and the shoes I will try and fit," he said.

"When they [BBC Radio Solent] let me know of Willo's intentions and asked me if it was something I'd be interested in, I took that opportunity to step away from football in terms of playing.

"I'm 35 and it felt like a good time to transition into a different side of football."