Greg Smith has become the latest player to leave Leicestershire after agreeing a move to Nottinghamshire.
The 25-year-old opener proved his quality to the Outlaws this season when he crashed a 54-ball 102 during the NatWest T20 Blast and has now been snapped up on a two-year deal.
His arrival will bolster Nottinghamshire’s options at the top of the order following Phil Jaques' exit to pursue a coaching career, while Alex Hales and James Taylor could spend more time on national-team duty next summer.
“We’ve got players in and around England squads who we expect to be missing at key times and we needed to recruit a top-order batsman to accommodate that,” Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell said.
“Greg has scored hundreds against us for Durham University and Leicestershire and he’s a player that we have kept an eye on for a long time.
“He will begin the season in competition with Steven Mullaney and Jake Libby for a place at the top of the order and it’s up to all three of those players to catch the eye during our pre-season matches.”
Smith scored 1,448 runs for Leicestershire in all competitions last season with his exit coming after a second successive winless campaign in LV= County Championship Division Two.
The Foxes have suffered from player departures since with limited-overs captain Josh Cobb (Northamptonshire), Shiv Thakor (Derbyshire) and Nathan Buck (Lancashire) all agreeing deals to play elsewhere next season.
Smith’s move will allow him to test himself in the top flight.
“Nottinghamshire is a great club with a proud history and I want to play a part in their continued success in the years ahead,” he said.
“Leicestershire have been great to me and I will always be grateful to the fans, the players and the coaches for the start they have given me in the game.
Nottinghamshire's new signing in numbers: pic.twitter.com/dVGDlBuZAT
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) October 3, 2014
“However, it feels like the right time to start a fresh chapter in my career and I’m very excited to be moving to Trent Bridge.”
Smith has scored 4,303 first-class runs in 85 matches at an average of 28.68, but Newell is confident he can make the step up in divisions as well as continue his limited-overs progress.
“Greg has done well for Leicestershire but we feel he has significant potential which we want to tap into,” he said.
“He can make a contribution in all formats and he will add depth and competition for a key place in our team.”
Leicestershire director of cricket Phil Whitticase wished Smith the best for his future, adding: “We are sad to see Greg leave because we have seen him develop from the age-groups and academy to be a first-team regular but we wish him all the very best for the future.”