Derbyshire have filled the void created by Martin Guptill's international commitments by snapping up South Africa Test skipper Hashim Amla.
The 32-year-old batsman, ranked the third best in the world in Tests, will arrive at the 3aaa County Ground at the start of May and be available for two LV= County Championship Division Two matches and three NatWest T20 Blast games.
New Zealander Guptill was due to remain at the club for six four-day fixtures and three Blast encounters, but a call-up to the Black Caps' Test squad for the Investec Series against England, starting on May 21, will cut short his stay.
Amla's arrival brings a wealth of experience to Derbyshire, having scored 6,757 runs at an average of 52.78 in 82 Tests plus 5,692 at 55.26 in 115 one-day internationals.
He has also recorded over 2,500 runs in 100 Twenty20 appearances during his career and becomes the latest in a long line of international superstars set to ply their trade in this year's Blast, following the signings of Chris Gayle,Brendon McCullum,Aaron Finch and Mahela Jayawardene to name a few.
Derbyshire elite performance director Graeme Welch said: “Hashim is a world-class batsman and a proven match-winner on both the Test and limited-overs stage.
“He’s a player I have worked with before and I know he will be a great influence on the younger lads. He will also bring a wealth of experience to the side as we look to compete at the highest level in both red ball and white-ball cricket.”
Amla, whose first game for his new county will be the home Championship clash with Northamptonshire from May 10, said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to play in England this summer.
“Derbyshire are an ambitious club with an exciting young team and I’ve enjoyed working with Graeme before.
“I’m looking forward to making a strong contribution in both four-day and Twenty20 cricket for Derbyshire next month.”
Amla, who has also had spells in county cricket with Essex, Nottinghamshire, Surrey, is the fourth overseas signing Derbyshire have made his term following the captures of Guptill, Sri Lankan Tillakaratne Dilshan and Australian seamer Nathan Rimmington.
Chairman Chris Grant added: “I am delighted that we have secured the services of Hashim for our NatWest T20 Blast and LV= County Championship campaigns.
“He is an outstanding cricketer in all formats of the game and watching him play here at the 3aaa County Ground in Derby will be a treat for all cricket fans.
“We’re working tirelessly to bring success to the county and our ability to augment our young Derbyshire squad with world-class players like Martin Guptill, Tillakaratne Dilshan and now Hashim Amla is another signal of the huge progress we are making as a club on and off the field.”