ALL-ROUNDER Justin Kemp says he is looking forward to linking up with Kent for a third stint having bowed out of international cricket with South Africa on his own terms.

The tall, big-hitter and medium-pace seam bowler from Cape Province has agreed a two-year Kolpak deal with the club he also served in 2005 and 2006, and follows ex-Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as Kent’s second close-season signing.

Talking from his home in Queenstown, Kemp said: “I had two of my most enjoyable seasons ever at Kent, so when the opportunity arose for me to go back there it really wasn’t a difficult decision.

“The key for me was where my future in the game lay and where I could go to enjoy playing again.

"I had a fantastic time in Canterbury, so I said to myself, why not? Now I’m really looking forward to coming back and making a difference.”

Kemp, who won four Test caps and played 85 one-day internationals, was one of five South Africa players of the year for 2007, and at 30 he believes his best years are still ahead of him.

He added: “I bowed out on my own terms with South Africa and more or less retired from international cricket two months ago.

"I felt I was never 100 per cent certain of a place and was holding my breath every time a team was announced, that all got too much for me in the end and it seemed a natural thing to open another door and join up with Kent again.

“I’ve signed for two years and would hope to review that after a year. I’ve got a good few years of cricket ahead of me and if I could finish my career playing for Kent that would be first class.

“It’s a case of me coming to Kent and making myself indispensable to the side.

"My shoulder is good and strong now, and I’m bowling better than I have for quite a while and should contribute at lot more with the ball than last time (2006).

“I hope I can provide some entertainment for the fans and add to the fantastic team already in place, Kent have made some great signings since I was last there and I’m looking forward to us all working together and getting the team into a position to win trophies.”