David Masters to sign with Essex

Essex have agreed a three-year deal with Leicestershire seam bowler David Masters up to the end of the 2010 season.

"I'm very excited about the prospect of playing for Essex - it's a massive club," Masters told the Essex website. "My Dad [former Kent player Kevin Masters] said it's a great place to play cricket, and always wanted to play here but never got the opportunity, so it's going to be good for me to get that chance.

"It's always hard coming to a new county. I'll probably need a little bit of time to get into it but I'm pretty sure I'll do well. I know my game now and I'm at my peak so I think Essex have got me at the perfect time of my career."

Masters began his first-class career with Kent in 2000 before he joined Leicestershire for the 2003 season. He has taken 229 first-class wickets at an average of 31.71 as well as 71 one-day wickets and 30 Twenty20 wickets.

"We identified last month some guys who we wanted to sign for next season and David was one of those (to follow Chris Wright who signed from Middlesex last week)," Essex captain Mark Pettini said. "Our particular niche was in getting an opening bowler or two so we are very pleased that he decided to sign with us. I faced him here at Chelmsford last year and I've seen his record so I know what he can offer us as a bowler. I'm very happy to welcome him into the side."