Bournemouth sign Charlie Sheringham from Dartford

Sheringham was on the books of Millwall, Spurs, Ipswich and Charlton

Bournemouth have completed the signing of Dartford's Charlie Sheringham, with the striker joining the League One club on an 18-month deal until 2013.

The Cherries had a bid accepted on Wednesday by the Blue Square Bet South side for Sheringham, who is the son of ex-Tottenham and England striker Teddy.

The 23-year-old passed a medical on Thursday with the fee undisclosed.

"It has always been my dream to play full-time, so it was an easy decision," Sheringham told BBC Radio Solent.

Sheringham had to give up his job as a city trader but says that was an easy decision to make.

"Football is what I want to do and giving up my job is a sacrifice I had to make," he added.

"To be honest it wasn't that hard a decision. Being a professional footballer is a what I want to do and it is what I've also wanted to do."

Sheringham said his father offered him advice on the move and dismissed suggestions he would have made the breakthrough into league football already if he was good enough.

The 23-year-old has never played in the Football League and failed to break into the Crystal Palace youth team but has played for Cambridge City, Welling, Bishop's Stortford and Histon.

"He (Teddy) was all for me coming to play football full-time," he said.

"My age is not relevant to me. I've been in professional teams before but I had to drop down to non-league to learn my trade and now I've been given an opportunity in league football."

Cherries boss Lee Bradbury told the club website: "He ticks all the boxes for what we're looking for."

Bradbury, who hopes to include Sheringham for Bournemouth's clash against Bury on Saturday, added: "This is a good singing for us, he is a good player with good movement and he's scored a lot of goals.

"He knows the professional game well and this isn't a gamble. It's just an opportunity for him to get back into it."

Meanwhile, the Cherries have announced 17-year-old midfielder Josh Carmichael has signed his first professional contract with the club.

Carmichael is a product of the Cherries academy.