FORMER Kent wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien has signed a one-year deal to play county cricket for Northamptonshire this summer.

The 25-year-old Irish-born wicketkeeper-batsman joins the Wantage Road club as cover for their No1 keeper Riki Wessels having been released by Kent last September.

O’Brien, who is training with the Ireland World Cup squad in South Africa, becomes English qualified this year and Northamptonshire’s head coach David Capel believes he can perform at first-class level.

Capel said: "After much consideration and searching for the right person to take on this vital role I am pleased we have settled on Niall.

"He has had valuable experience with both Kent and Ireland and will join our squad as soon as his World Cup commitments are finished."

O’Brien has played 41 first-class matches, claiming 130 victims and hit a highest championship score of 69 against Warwickshire three year’s ago.