Gloucestershire bring in Will Williams from Lancashire

Gloucestershire have signed seam bowler Will Williams on a three-year contract. Williams, who began his career in New Zealand but has played for Lancashire since 2022, will join at the end of the season.

The 32-year-old has only played three times in the County Championship this season but had been offered a contract extension. In all, he has taken 99 first-class wickets at 24.29 for Lancashire, as well as nine in List A competition.

Gloucestershire have been severely depleted by player departures, with fast bowlers Ajeet Singh Dale, Zaman Akhter, Tom Price and Dom Goodman all agreeing moves elsewhere. Singh Dale will move in the opposite direction to Williams, Akhter is joining Essex, while Price and Goodman have both signed for Sussex.

"It is not often a player becomes available still in the peak of their career with a bowling record like Will's," Gloucestershire's head coach, Mark Alleyne, said

"That alone would have been enough to attract our interest, but after a couple of meetings, it was clear this lad is a lot more than a high-performing bowler. He has the character I love in a cricketer and is prepared to commit totally to the cause.

"I look forward to welcoming and embracing him to the Glorious family; I'm confident he will be popular with players and supporters alike."

Williams was born in New Zealand and spent ten years with Canterbury. He has dual UK-NZ citizenship and has been registered as a local player since joining Lancashire.

"I'm really excited for this new chapter in my life. Speaking to Mark [Alleyne], it's clear the club has strong ambitions, and he's made it clear how I fit into those plans," Williams said.

"From the outside, Gloucestershire has always looked like a tight-knit, hardworking group. I'm keen to bring my experience, learn from the environment, and hopefully make a positive impact on and off the field. I can't wait to get started and to make Gloucestershire and Bristol my new home."