CHERRIES keeper Asmir Begovic has been voted the Daily Echo-Micky Cave AFC Bournemouth player of the year for 2021.

The Bosnian stopper has enjoyed a sublime return to Vitality Stadium this season, having spent the previous campaign on loan at the likes of Qarabag and AC Milan.

Having fought off competition from Mark Travers and Will Dennis for the first-choice goalkeeper spot – Bosnian international Begovic conceded just 44 goals from 45 Championship games.

During that time, he also recorded 15 clean sheets as Cherries secured a sixth-place finish in the English second tier.

Begovic took 44 per cent of online reader votes ahead of Dutchman Arnaut Danjuma (33 per cent).

Tottenham loanee Cameron Carter-Vickers (7 per cent) rounded off the top three in the voting.

Former Chelsea stopper Begovic, 33, joins an illustrious list of previous winners including the likes of Eddie Howe, Nathan Ake, Marc Pugh, Harry Arter and Steve Cook.

He also becomes the second goalkeeper in as many years to claim the prize, with Aaron Ramsdale winning the award in 2020.

Begovic is expected to feature when Cherries host Brentford in the Championship semi-final first leg tomorrow night (6pm).