Leicestershire announce signings of Josh Davey and Jonny Tattersall

Leicestershire have confirmed the double signing of Josh Davey and Jonny Tattersall on three-year deals.

Davey, who will depart Somerset, and Yorkshire's Tattersall will officially join the club on November 1 following the expiry of their current contracts. ESPNcricinfo understands allrounder Ben Green will also be joining his county team-mate Davey in swapping Taunton for Grace Road, having spent time on loan there over the last two summers. Both Davey and Green turned down extensions to remain at Somerset.

The acquisitions of Davey, 35, and Tattersall, 30, will add experience to an exciting young Leicestershire squad that are on the verge of a return to Division One for the first time since the club's relegation in 2003.

An international seamer with 62 caps for Scotland and appearances at two T20 World Cups, Davey has 214 first-class wickets at 24.25, along with 128 at 25.90 in List A cricket and 116 at 21.77 in T20. He has also spent this summer moonlighting as an opening batter for Somerset, and is familiar with Grace Road after a brief loan stint during the 2023 season.

"I spoke to Fons [Alfonso Thomas] and Claude [Henderson], and it was clear they've got a collective vision for elevating the club to the next level," Davey said in a statement via the Leicestershire website. "It's going to be a very exciting place to be over the next three years.

"I think it's starting to shape into a competitive team. There's a lot of talent in the squad and I hope to supplement that with the experience I've gained across all three formats over the last 15 years.

"I met a lot of the guys during my loan here in 2023, and I loved the environment. Since then, the likes of Ben Green, Lewis Goldsworthy and Josh Thomas have all been and they have only come back saying positive things, which obviously helped steer my decision. Hopefully I can help to establish Leicestershire in the first division and look to push for some silverware. I believe we can become a real force in all three competitions over the next few years."

The addition of Tattersall, a keeper-batter, covers for the loss of Harry Swindells, who was forced to retire through injury last month.

After debuting for Yorkshire in 2013, Tattersall went on to make 155 appearances for the club. His proudest moment came last season when he captained the county to a return to Division One, an ever-present throughout the 2024 summer, averaging 40.18 and affecting 29 dismissals.

One of his two centuries last term came away at Leicestershire in September, leading to an innings victory that took Yorkshire into the promotion spots with two rounds to play. However, it was announced by Yorkshire earlier this month that he would be leaving at the end of the season.

"Leicestershire is a club that has some great history behind it and has built a team that seems to be going places," Tattersall said. "I can see a real purpose and a focus within the group with what they're looking to achieve over the next few years, so it's incredibly exciting to be asked to play a part in that journey.

"Hopefully, I can bring experience of first division cricket and help guide a few younger lads in what that experience is like, as well as produce quality performances myself.

"I'll put in everything I've got to take my game to the next level and help Leicestershire win matches. Hopefully that will result in some more trophies."

Speaking on both signings, director of cricket, Claude Henderson, said: "Josh is a high-calibre operator that will offer a lot to the team in both red-ball and white-ball cricket. We know his character well and have no doubt he will be a great fit for Leicestershire. As a senior player with extensive Division One experience, his voice and all-round abilities will be a great addition to our changing room.

"Jonny's character, leadership skills and all-round cricket abilities are hugely impressive. He will bring vast experience to our changing room and further depth to our batting department, which will make him a significant asset to our squad."