HAMPSHIRE Cricket has agreed for batsman Michael Carberry to join Leicestershire on a two-year contract at the end of the season.

The 35-year-old joined Leicestershire on a loan deal for the remainder of the campaign at the end of last month.

And after featuring for Hampshire at NatWest T20 Blast finals day, Carberry returned to Leicestershire where he is available for the rest of the season before beginning his new contract.

Hampshire director of cricket Giles White said: “Michael has been an outstanding professional for Hampshire over a number of years.

"He has been an integral part of many successful campaigns and has always been a very popular figure at the club.

"We all wish him well with the exciting challenge at Leicestershire and look forward to seeing him back at the Ageas Bowl in the future.”

The left-hander has been a tremendous servant for the club since joining from Surrey in 2006 and has been a prominent performer with the bat for more than a decade.

Carberry amassed a total of 16,849 runs in 369 matches for Hampshire across all formats, with more than 10,000 of these coming in first-class cricket at an average of 42.64.

He has also been a key component in Hampshire’s limited-overs success, contributing 3,519 List A runs at an average of 38.67 and 3,066 T20 runs at an average of 31.28.

The top-order batsman’s time with the club has also seen him represent England in all three formats, including six Test matches, six ODIs and one T20I.