Young all-rounder Shiv Thakor will make the short move from Leicestershire to Derbyshire after agreeing a two-year deal.
The former England Under-19s skipper turned down a two-year contract from Leicestershire, where he has progressed through the club’s academy, to make the move.
“I would like to thank the staff, board and most importantly the supporters at Leicestershire,” Thakor said.
“It's been a tough decision to leave the county that has given me my start in professional cricket, but I feel it's time to take the next step forward.
“Also I would like to say a huge thank you to my family in supporting me in this decision.”
Leicester-born Thakor had a number of offers to leave Grace Road, but opted for the 3aaa County Ground after speaking to Derbyshire elite performance director Graeme Welch.
“I had several options on the table but, having met with Graeme Welch and the management team, it was an easy decision to join a progressive club like Derbyshire,” he said.
“The way he talked with passion about the club, its plans for the future and the role he sees me playing was too good an opportunity to turn down.
“I'm still at the beginning of my career, I have ambitions - both personal and as a member of a winning team – and I'm absolutely focused to achieve these things with Derbyshire.
“I can't wait to get started.”
The 20-year-old’s decision to leave has “disappointed” Leicestershire after he scored 1,288 first-class runs in 24 matches for the club, recording two hundreds and nine half-centuries. He has also claimed 16 wickets.
Thakor became the youngest player to score a first-class hundred for Leicestershire when he made 134 on debut against Loughborough MCCU in 2011 at the age of 17.
“Shiv is a talented young player whose ambition to compete at the highest level matches our desire to produce England cricketers,” Welch said.
“It’s important that – as well as developing home-grown players – we also recruit players that can be match-winners for us.
“Shiv fits that bill and we’re delighted that he has decided to join Derbyshire in the face of competition from other clubs.
“He is a versatile player who can contribute with both bat and ball across all three formats.
“He has shown for Leicestershire that he is a top player with England potential.
“The sky is the limit for the lad and I’m sure he will have a successful future in Derbyshire colours.”