Nel pens three-year deal with Surrey

Surrey have signed Andre Nel, the South Africa fast bowler who today announced his international retirement, on a three-year deal as a Kolpak.

Nel, 31, has enjoyed stints with Northamptonshire and Essex in recent seasons but is now heading to The Oval in the second phase of his career.

"Surrey are a huge club, entering an exciting new era with Chris Adams at the helm, and I am looking forward to using my experience to work with some of the younger bowlers on the staff and ensure they get back to the top of the English game," said Nel. "I cannot wait to arrive in April and pull on the Surrey shirt for the first game of the season."

Chris Adams, Surrey's director of cricket, added: "The addition of Andre Nel to the Surrey dressing room underlines the ambition I have for the club. He has proven pace, power and wicket taking ability and will be a fantastic addition to our pace team.

"As a proven international bowler, Andre will bring aggression on the pitch and experience off it. With exciting home developed fast bowlers such as Jade Dernbach and Stuart Meaker also at the club, Surrey will be a force to be reckoned with in 2009 and beyond."