Durham confirm signings of Ackermann, Parkinson

Durham have signed Colin Ackermann and Callum Parkinson on three-year contracts, after the pair turned down contract extensions at Leicestershire.

As revealed by ESPNcricinfo, Durham made approaches to sign Ackermann and Parkinson after they entered the final months of their contracts at Leicestershire and turned down new deals. Veteran seamer Chris Wright has also left the club, instead joining Sussex.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be joining up with Durham from next season," Ackermann, who has played international cricket for Netherlands under Durham coach Ryan Campbell, said. "I feel the time is right for a change and a new challenge. "There will be a few familiar faces in the changing room which is always nice, and I look forward to creating some amazing memories on the field."

"I am absolutely delighted to be joining Durham," Parkinson said. "I'm really excited for the next chapter of my career and feel like the squad matches my desire to win trophies and improve myself as a cricketer. When I heard Durham had interest in signing me, I was delighted.

"Marcus North and Ryan Campbell have a clear vision for taking their strong group of players forward and I'm delighted to become a part of that group. I have good friends in the Durham dressing room who keep telling me how good the north east is and I'm looking forward to finding out first-hand."

Parkinson, 26, was made Leicestershire's four-day captain last season but lost the job over the winter after refusing to sign a contract extension, while Ackermann is their incumbent T20 captain. Both players will remain available for selection for the rest of the summer.

Ackermann attracted interest from several counties, with Yorkshire understood to have been another potential suitor, and Durham's director of cricket Marcus North said that getting the deal over the line represents "great news for Durham".

North said: "Colin is a proven performer in county cricket and to have secured his signature among a lot of competition is great news for Durham. Recruiting an experienced batting all-rounder who can perform in all formats was a priority to our recruitment strategy.

He added: "We are excited to have secured the signing of Callum Parkinson. Callum is an experienced spinner on the domestic circuit and his arrival will enable us to continue to be effective in all conditions.

"Callum is one of the best spinners in the country and is proven in both red- and white-ball cricket, we feel that by bringing him to Durham he will take his game to the next level and contribute and play a big part in Durham's future success, which we are all excited about."