Elliott Ward revealed it took a TV trick to convince him to take a step into the unknown at newly-promoted Bournemouth.

Ward signed a one-year deal after his release from Norwich after being wooed by Cherries' boss Eddie Howe's novel sales pitch.

The imposing centre-back looked set for a permanent move to Nottingham Forest after an extended loan stint at the City Ground, but Ward was impressed by Howe's desire to lure him to the south coast.

'He put together a DVD for me to show how the club wanted to play and I liked what I saw. He is the only manager who has ever done that so I was really impressed,' said Ward. 'He was keen to show me how the team played and a bit about the lads. The DVD highlighted how they worked and showed some of the goals from last season. It was impressive stuff and I learned a bit more about the club. The meeting with the manager was probably the biggest factor in me deciding to sign.'

Ward also tapped up his brother Darren in his bid to get the inside track on the ambitious Cherries.

'I had a chat with my brother and we spoke about the games he played against them last season and about what type of team they were,' added Ward. 'He said it was a good club and one that was on the move.

'It was a bit of an unknown for me so I spoke to a few friends who knew more about the club and some of the players. I got some good information and can't wait to get started.'

Howe, pictured, revealed he was desperate to do whatever it took to clinch his first summer signing.

'I wanted to show Elliott what he would be coming into. I think it is very easy to speak about things and express your vision to a player but it is better to show them visually,' he said. 'Some of our biggest selling points are how we play, how we work and what we are trying to create. I felt the easiest and best way to portray that to him was to show him a DVD. If he felt it made a difference, then that is really good to hear. It is probably testament to the players and how they played last season because it was just clips of us in games.'

Ward's arrival guarantees some keen rivalry in a key part of Howe's squad for the new campaign.

'Competition has to be fierce in every position,' he said. 'The centre-halves we had last season were outstanding for us but it was certainly an area where we needed greater strength in depth. Last season, especially towards the end, we were living on the edge a bit in terms of one injury could have really hurt us. It was an area we identified as needing another body. We wanted to go for someone of quality and that is what we have done by bringing in Elliott. There is going to be competition in every department.'