West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul has signed a two-year contract with LV= County Championship Division One side Derbyshire.
Currently rated as the number two Test batsman, Chanderpaul has scored over 10,500 runs in 146 test matches at an average of 51.67 and is expected to be available for all three domestic competitions throughout the 2013 campaign.
Chanderpaul has had previous spells in the county game with Durham, Lancashire as well as Warwickshire and as part of the deal Derbyshire have first option to keep the 38-year-old for a third season. "I'm excited to be joining an ambitious club with a talented young side," he told the Derbyshire website.
"I was impressed with Karl Krikken's vision for the team and am looking forward to linking up with them at the start of the season."
Head coach Krikken was delighted with the acquisition as they look to establish themselves in Division One following last season's promotion.
"Shivnarine's statistics in all forms of the game speak for themselves and he has been one of the standout players on the world stage for a long time," he said.
"He knows what it takes to be successful and, as well as his outstanding ability with the bat, there is no doubt Shivnarine will have a hugely positive effect on our talented young squad as we embark on the challenge of Division One cricket."
