Thakor begins Leicestershire exodus

Leicestershire are braced for an exodus of players after confirmation that Shiv Thakor, their former England U-19 captain and one of the most promising young allrounders in the country, has turned down the offer of a new contract and instead joined Derbyshire.

Nathan Buck, the fast bowler, is another potential departee, with Lancashire increasingly confident of securing his signature.

With the potential that more players could follow, it represents further troubles for Leicestershire, who despite being competitive throughout much of the summer have not won a Championship match since the final match of the 2012 season and who remain rooted to the bottom of the Division Two table.

Derbyshire will be delighted to have seen off interest from a clutch of other counties. Thakor's first-class average of 39 in 24 first-class matches is a promising start to his career and he has also taken useful wickets with his medium pace.

"Shiv is a talented young player whose ambition to compete at the highest level matches our desire to produce England cricketers," Derbyshire elite performance director, Graeme Welch said. "He is a versatile player who can contribute with both bat and ball across all three formats. He has shown for Leicestershire that he is a top player with England potential. The sky is the limit for the lad."

Thakor added: "It's been a tough decision to leave the county that has given me my start in professional cricket, but I feel it's time to take the next step forward. "I had several options on the table but, having met with Graeme Welch and the management team, it was an easy decision to join a progressive club like Derbyshire.

"The way he talked with passion about the club, its plans for the future and the role he sees me playing was too good an opportunity to turn down. I'm still at the beginning of my career, I have ambitions - both personal and as a member of a winning team - and I'm absolutely focused to achieve these things with Derbyshire. "

Thakor, born in Leicester, became the youngest Leicestershire player to score a first-class hundred when he made 134 on debut against Loughborough MCCU at 17. His progress was hampered last season by a hand injury which, controversially, was only operated upon at the end of the season.