Nottinghamshire have signed Jason Brown, the former Northamptonshire offspinner, on a two-year contract. Brown was released by Northamptonshire at the end of 2008, his benefit year and took 414 first-class wickets during his 14-year stint.

"There's going to be scope for me to play some good cricket at Notts, particularly with Graeme Swann and Samit Patel in the England one-day squad," he said. "I bowled a lot with Graeme [Swann] at Wantage Road and we seemed to compliment each other. I'm pleased that he is getting opportunities with England and I can step in for Notts whenever he is unavailable."

Brown's signing will be a handy addition to the county's spin options after left-arm spinner Rob Ferley rejected a new contract and joined Kent. Brown, now 34, was part of England's touring party to in 2001.

"We expect Graeme and Samit to be involved with England next year and that will provide opportunities for Jason," Mike Newell, Notts' director of cricket, said. "He's an experienced player and there is a possibility we'll deploy three spinners at times in one-day formats."

Brown made his first-class debut for Northamptomshire against Yorkshire in 1996 and was awarded his county cap in 2000.