Keith Barker set to leave Warwickshire for Hampshire

Keith Barker has rejected the offer of a new contract at Warwickshire and is set to join Hampshire on a two-year deal.

Barker, the left-arm allrounder, has claimed 357 first-class wickets at a cost of 25.51 since his debut for the club 2009. He was a crucial part of the Warwickshire attack that won the County Championship in 2012 - he claimed 56 first-class wickets at a cost of 20.82 - and won selection for the England Lions. With the variation he offers and footmarks creating rough for spinners, he has remained a key man in the first-class side.

He has also hit six first-class hundreds and averages 28.64 with the bat. It is expected Hampshire will announce his acquisition on Wednesday. Warwickshire are also understood to have offered a two-year deal.

Barker was a late entrant to the county game. Having originally pursued a career as a footballer - he represented England Uner-19s and was with Blackburn Rovers for a while - he did not play for Warwickshire until he was 22.

He has rarely featured in the limited-overs teams in recent times, however - he did not play a single T20 match this season - and, aged 32 next month, is now likely to finish his career with Hampshire.