Essex sign Mitchell Killeen from Durham

Mitchell Killeen, the Durham allrounder, has agreed to join Essex on a two-year deal from the end of the current season.

Killeen made his Durham debut in a One-Day Cup match in 2022 and has made nine List A and three first-class appearances - which included taking 5 for 36 on his County Championship debut earlier this year. He has also featured for England Under-19s and the Professional County Club XI.

The 20-year-old, son of former Durham seamer, now England bowling consultant, Neil Killeen, was Durham's 2nd XI player of the season in 2024, scoring more than 400 runs to go with 18 wickets.

"I am really excited to be joining Essex for the 2026 season," Mitchell Killeen said. "Essex have an excellent squad of cricketers and have obviously enjoyed some great success in recent years. Once Chris Silverwood got in touch, I knew that I wanted to be involved with what he is trying to build at Chelmsford.

"I feel my cricket is developing and I will be doing my best to push hard for regular first team cricket. I know a few of the younger players from my time with England Under-19s and I can't wait to meet the rest of the squad ahead of next season."

Killeen's signing follows that of Zaman Akhter from Gloucestershire as Essex look to reshape their attack for next season.

Dan Feist, Essex's chief executive officer, said: "We are really excited to be bringing Mitchell to the club. He is a young seamer with plenty of potential and we've seen what he is capable of this season in both the first-class and List A formats.

"He will add depth to the bowling attack and we look forward to seeing him grow and develop his game here at Essex."