SEAM bowler David Masters has joined the close season exodus from Kent County Cricket Club by signing a two-year deal with Division 1 rivals Leicestershire.

The 24-year-old, from Chatham, became a free agent on the expiry of his contract in September and despite an offer of improved terms has opted for a move to Grace Road.

It makes Masters, Kent's joint player-of-the-year in 2000, the seventh squad member to leave St Lawrence this winter.

Masters, a former pupil at the Fort Luton School in Chatham, said: "It was a really hard decision to make, because all my mates are down here and I love the Kent supporters, but it's a move I had to make for the sake of my own career.

"Sometimes in life you have to make tough choices and sacrifices if you want to get on and I'm still young enough to improve and would love to get into the England side.

"The money side of things did come into it a little, but really it's all about opportunity."