Northeast: I can realise my dreams with Hampshire

The County Championship division one outfit unveiled the 28-year-old batsman on Friday following his switch from second-tier Kent.

Northeast came through the youth ranks at Canterbury and has admitted walking away from the club was a big wrench.

But after Hampshire fought off a number of top-flight rivals to clinch his signature, the former Kent skipper reckons he has made the right move.

And he has quickly set his sights on trophies and full international honours with his new team-mates.

Northeast said: ‘It has been a bit of a strange winter but it is great to finally get it over the line and I’m really excited about the next chapter.

‘It feels like the right time to make the move. I had a chat with Hampshire four or five years ago and was really impressed then.

‘The set-up, the facilities, the people were all very impressive. And talking to them again now, it just felt like the right move.

‘I met with some really good people at some really good counties. But I believe this is a team going places, the squad looks really exciting.

‘So I’m pleased to be a part of that, to try to win some trophies in the future and get to the next level in my career.

‘I want to kick on and try to play international cricket and I feel this is a place where I can achieve those ambitions.’

Northeast flies out to the West Indies on Monday to captain the ECB’s South representative side in their annual clash with the North.

His new Hampshire team-mate Liam Dawson is also in the squad for the three-match series at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.