KENT have been rocked by the shock departure of talented all rounder Alex Loudon to join county champions Warwickshire.

Loudon, 24 last month, has signed a two year contract with the Midland side, one of Kent’s biggest rivals. He was one of the county’s “finds” of the season, after winning a regular place in both the championship and one day sides.

He finished the summer by claiming career best figures of six for 47 to help beat Middlesex with a day to spare at Canterbury, and ensure Kent finished runners-up.

The former Eton schoolboy, Durham University graduate, and England under-19 captain was out of contract, but Kent had high hopes of retaining his services.

Chairman of Cricket Graham Johnson said: “Obviously we are very disappointed that a guy who has grown up and developed at Kent into potentially someone we saw as a key part of our future has decided to leave.”

Johnson added: “We have had a good relationship with Alex during negotiations, and have been impressed with the way he has handled himself, and it is indicative of a changing cricket environment.

“Alex has a timetable to try and pursue his career and he felt he had a better chance of doing that with Warwickshire. We put the counter-argument, that he could do it with Kent, but we were not able to persuade him that was the case.”

Warwickshire chief executive Dennis Amiss said: “We have been impressed with Alex and are delighted to sign him as we feel he has a very promising future in the game.”

He has been preferred to Australian overseas star Brad Hogg, and Warwickshire seem set to use him as cover for England newcomer Ian Bell who could earn an Ashes call-up next summer. He hit 92 for Kent at Edgbaston in August.

Loudon made his championship debut against Sussex in June last year, and first caught the eye with a maiden half-century against South Africa in August.

He recorded his first five wicket haul, with five for 58 against Middlesex at Southgate in July. His highest first class score is 172 for Durham’s Centre of Cricketing Excellence against Durham in June 2001.

The news will disappoint members and supporters, and comes just days before next Tuesday’s members forum when the county’s management and coaching staff will discuss the season. Loudon’s move, and the future of Ed Smith are likely to be two items on the agenda.