Sam Northeast has signed with Hampshire County Cricket Club on a four-year deal.

The 28-year-old has left Kent, the club announced on Monday, after being associated with the county since he was a schoolboy.

He was allowed to speak to other clubs after he was replaced as Kent captain by Sam Billings in January.

It has been reported that Northeast did not wish to sign a contract extension with the club and had been allowed to leave despite having a year left on his Kent deal.

A host of Division One teams were interested in signing the batsman with Hampshire winning the race for his signature.

The club has received an undisclosed fee in compensation from Hampshire as Northeast had a year left on his Kent contract.

His runs will be a big miss for the club as he scored more than 6,000 across all formats over the last three seasons.

In the Specsavers County Championship Division Two last year, Northeast scored 1017 runs at an average of 50.85 and included three hundreds.

Following his selection for the England Lions white-ball squad to face West Indies A in Antigua in March, he spoke of his desire to still play for England.

The move to Hampshire has been seen by many as a step to fulfilling this ambition.

Northeast told the club’s website: “I have had a really enjoyable 10 years at Kent Cricket and I would like to wish the club and its supporters the best of luck for the future.

“It was an honour to be the Club Captain and I leave the club with many happy memories.”

Kent Cricket CEO Ben Green said: “It’s sad that Sam has decided to leave Kent. We wish him well and thank him for all his efforts during his time with Kent.

“We are encouraged by the progress the squad is making on the FGS Plant Tour and we continue to look at strengthening the squad ahead of the new season.”