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Matt Ritchie (right) stated last month that Bournemouth have the mental strength to sustain a promotion challenge

Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie has signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with the Championship leaders.

Ritchie, signed from Swindon for £500,000 two years ago, has scored six goals in 28 appearances this season.

The 25-year-old also heads the table for most assists in the Championship this term with 11.

"He clearly sees what we are trying to achieve here and wants to be part of it," Bournemouth chief executive Neil Blake commented.

Ritchie began his career at Portsmouth and had two loan spells with Swindon before joining them in January 2011.

He made his Cherries debut in a 3-0 win at MK Dons in February 2013 and helped them win promotion from League One at the end of that season.