Vaughn van Jaarsveld signs for Warwickshire

The former South Africa Under-19 batsman, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, has joined Warwickshire as a Kolpak player on a two-year contract. van Jaarsveld has been on trial with the club's second XI since the beginning of the season while playing in the Birmingham League with Moseley.

van Jaarsveld, who is 22, has represented the South African state side Gauteng and had been viewed as a long-term prospect for national honours. Instead he is just the latest young South African cricketer to opt to play in England instead of pursuing an international career. He is no relation to Kent's own Kolpak signing, Martin.

"It is a real honour to sign for such a great club," said van Jaarsveld. "I have been around Edgbaston for a while now and I have enjoyed every minute on the field and the dressing-room banter. I want to commit my future to the Bears and am looking forward to making my debut."

He made it clear that his future now lies in, and with, England. "I have played for South African Under-19s and the 'A' side but I am now committed to playing for England," he told the Press Association. "I have made my intentions clear. I'm here to qualify as an Englishman. I'm going to be spending at least 210 days a year over in England and the aim is to play for England.

"This was a very big decision. I've been thinking about it for a couple of years but in the end I thought there are better cricket opportunities here."

Warwickshire's director of coaching, Mark Greatbatch, believes Vaughn will add to the strength of the current squad. "We have been following Vaughn since he arrived in April and have appreciated the help we have had from Moseley CC in giving him experience of English conditions.

"He has impressed us in the games he has played," added Greatbatch. "We look forward to working with Vaughn to further improve his game and believe he will add even more depth to our batting line-up."