Former Kent captain Sam Northeast signs for Hampshire

Kent batsman Sam Northeast has signed a four-year deal with Hampshire after the counties agreed a compensation package.

Northeast, 28, has scored more than 8,000 first-class runs for Kent since making his debut in 2007 and he was named club captain in 2015.

Live One-Day International Cricket

But last month Sam Billings was appointed captain in all formats, and Kent gave Northeast permission to speak to other counties after he turned down multiple offers of a contract extension.

Northeast said: "I have had a really enjoyable 10 years at Kent and I would like to wish the club and its supporters the best of luck for the future.

"It was an honour to be the club captain for three years and I leave the club with many happy memories.

"At the same time, I am hugely excited about joining Hampshire. It is a club and a team with a very bright future, and I am really looking forward to making as big a contribution as possible towards the club's success.

"I hope this move will also help me push on to fulfil my dream of playing for England."

Hampshire director of cricket Giles White added: "Sam is an exciting addition to the squad. He's the type of cricketer and person that we believe will fit into the team well and we are delighted that he has chosen to pursue his career at Hampshire.

"He will add quality to the batting line up, has ability in all forms of the game and has a strong desire to improve. Hopefully we can provide him the platform to push for higher honours."

Northeast was capped in 2012 and scored 19 first-class centuries in 135 matches, two centuries and 13 fifties in 86 one-day games as well as a hundred and 17 half-centuries in 90 T20 matches.