All-rounder Josh Cobb has become the latest high-profile name to leave Leicestershire after signing for Northamptonshire.
The Leicester-born 24-year-old joins Nathan Buck and Shiv Thakor in departing Grace Road at the end of the season, rejecting a new deal to link up with Northants on a two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.
Cobb, who was man of the match in the Foxes’ Twenty20 triumph in 2011 and skippered Leicestershire, said: “I want to firstly thank Leicestershire CCC and all the fans for all they have done for me.
“Captaining my boyhood team was an honour and something I will always cherish. But I feel it's now time to start a new chapter and challenge myself to improve in a new environment.
“I want to wish Leicestershire all the best for the future, Grace Road will always be a special place for me.
“I'm very ambitious both personally and to be a part of a winning team. I want to play at the highest level and play the best domestic cricket available.
“Northamptonshire have proven that they are a winning limited-overs team and have set clear targets to get back into Division One next year.
Welcome to Northants Cricket, Josh @cobby24 ! RT if you're excited for his arrival #CobbJoinspic.twitter.com/N9UiPw2mXh
— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) September 17, 2014
“I want to be a part of this and after talking to the management, who I know well, I'm convinced it's the right place for me to achieve my goals".
With all-rounders Andrew Hall and Matthew Spriegel failing to win new contracts, chief executive David Smith was delighted to fill the breach by snaring the signature of Cobb as Northants target an immediate return to LV= County Championship Division One and an improvement in limited-overs displays.
Smith said: “I know Josh well, he will bring a real cutting edge to our white-ball cricket, having already scored five hundreds in this format.
“He has also had a very good championship season this year and also brings invaluable captaincy experience, having undertaken this role for the past two years.
“At 24 years of age, his best cricket is still ahead of him. He was the number-one target of first-team coach David Ripley and we are absolutely delighted he is joining the club”.
On losing Cobb, who made his first-class debut aged 17, chief executive Mike Siddall added: “We would like to thank Josh for his great contribution over the years he has played for Leicestershire, both as a player and as captain.
“We wish Josh all the very best for the future and we will welcome him to Grace Road when he returns next season.”