Hampshire have signed young England bowler Reece Topley
Tuesday 1 September 2015 13:07, UK
England new boy Reece Topley is to join Hampshire from Essex at the end of the season.
The 21-year-old left-arm seamer made his international debut on Monday in the thrilling NatWest Twenty20 win over Australia.
And the 6ft 7in paceman hopes his move will help him to become an England regular.
He told the Hampshire website: "I am delighted to be joining Hampshire, a club I have admired from a distance for some time.
"I know I am not the finished article and hope that, at 21 years old, Hampshire can help me develop into a regular international bowler in the coming years.
"I feel the environment at the Ageas Bowl will assist me 'in being the best I possibly can be' and I am tremendously excited for the future at Hampshire."
However, Topley has also expressed his sadness at leaving Essex, who gave him his first class debut in 2011 at the age of 17.
He has taken 125 first class wickets, at 25.78, but has been carefully managed this year after a stress fracture he originally suffered while on tour with the England Lions returned in July last year.
He said: "I am extremely sad to be leaving Essex, having played for the county since the age of nine, and have thoroughly enjoyed my time in a great dressing room.
"I would like to publicly thank all the players for their huge support and firm friendships.
"In particular, I must also thank the two first XI coaches: Paul Grayson for the fantastic opportunity he has given me and Chris Silverwood, who I have great admiration for and enjoyed working with."
Fresh from taking 1-35 in four overs for England on Monday, Topley has signed a two-year deal with Hampshire.
And the county's director of cricket Giles White said: "Reece is an exciting addition to the squad.
"He is a young bowler with huge potential, who has the ability to impact games in both red and white ball cricket.
"What was evident during our talks was a strong desire to improve and I hope that we can help him realise his ambition of playing for England in all formats. We are delighted that he is joining Hampshire and we look forward to welcoming him to the club at the end of the current season."
