Paul Coughlin to join Lancashire from Durham

Paul Coughlin, the Durham allrounder, has agreed a move to Lancashire ahead of the 2026 season.

Coughlin, 32, came through Durham's academy before moving to Nottinghamshire in 2017, where he won England Lions recognition. After an injury-plagued two-year spell, he returned to the northeast and was part of the side that won promotion back to Division One of the County Championship in 2023.

However, he has only made five first-team appearances this season and Durham announced on Sunday that he would be leaving at the end of his contract.

"I'm thrilled to be making the move to Lancashire," Coughlin said. "It's a club with a great history and big ambitions, and I'm really looking forward to getting started with a new chapter in my career.

"The chance to commit to Lancashire for the future and be part of what they're looking to achieve here is something that I'm hugely excited about.

"I know Keaton Jennings and Michael Jones very well from our time at Durham together and it will be great to link-up with both again at Lancashire and meet the rest of the lads."

Lancashire have endured a difficult summer, with Dale Benkenstein leaving his role as head coach and Keaton Jennings giving up the four-day captaincy as hopes of Championship promotion were dashed. They reached T20 Blast Finals Day but a depleted side fell at the first hurdle, beaten by eventual champions Somerset.

Mark Chilton, Lancashire's director of cricket performance, said: "We are delighted to have secured Paul's services as we continue to strengthen our squad ahead of the 2026 season. This move represents an exciting new challenge for Paul, who has already demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level. We believe that a fresh environment will provide the platform for him to return to his very best.

"Paul's all-round qualities will add significant depth and versatility across both red-ball and white-ball formats, and we look forward to welcoming him to Emirates Old Trafford in the winter."