Nottinghamshire sign Ben Phillips

Seamer Ben Phillips will move from Somerset, where he has been since 2007, to Nottinghamshire after signing a two-year contract with the county.

Phillips enjoyed moderate success last season, taking 29 wickets in 11 County Championship appearances for Somerset, and also played an important role as a first- or second-change bowler in their domestic limited-overs campaigns.

"Mick [Newell, director of cricket] didn't have to sell the club to me at all because I'm well aware that there are a lot of quality players here and that conditions at Trent Bridge will help my bowling," said Phillips.

"I wasn't actively looking for a move but it was made clear that my opportunities might be limited given the signings that Somerset had made and I jumped at the chance to join Nottinghamshire. I'm delighted to be joining a team that will be in the hunt for trophies and I see this move as a perfect opportunity for me."

Phillips, 36, began his county career with Kent in 1996 before moving to Northamptonshire in 2002. He was a popular member of the team but was never regarded as much more than a bits-and-pieces player. At the end of 2006 he asked to be released from his contract because his family had not settled in the area, and signed a contract with Somerset.

He is already well acquainted with several of his new Nottinghamshire teammates having played with Graeme Swann and Graeme White at Northants and having spent time with David Hussey, Darren Pattinson and Paul Franks in Melbourne last winter.

"Ben has a solid reputation in county cricket and he can play a big part for us next season," said Newell. "It was very important that we recruited a bowler who can come into the side and bowl long spells with accuracy and control and Ben is capable of doing that."