KENT County Cricket Club have confirmed that South African Martin van Jaarsveld is to join them.

The 30-year-old announced he had reached agreement with Board of Cricket South Africa for an early release from his playing contract.

Van Jaarsveld made his Test debut for South Africa in 2002 and has recently been part of the South African Test match squad which played against England this winter. He joins countryman Andrew Hall in the Kent squad for the 2005 season.

Van Jaarsveld said: "I have thought long and hard about how best to plan my future in cricket and am delighted that this opportunity has arisen. I look forward to working with David Fulton and his team with the aim of bringing success to the club."

Graham Johnson, Kent's chairman of cricket, said: "We have spent a great deal of time considering the best available overseas options for this season and beyond.

"It has become increasingly difficult to find players of international standing who are able to commit to the full county programme in any one season and who can do that over a number of seasons.

"We are, therefore, delighted that Martin has become available to us and we are sure his experience and consistent availability will be of great value."

Van Jaarsveld joins the county under 'Kolpak' regulations, which means he is not an overseas player. The regulations mean that nationals of countries, including South Africa, who have associate agreements with the European Union, can travel to play in EU countries without being clased as an overseas player.

Mr Johnson added: "Although he will be joining us under 'Kolpak' regulations, we remain committed to fielding as many England qualified players as possible in the future.

"While at present we do not plan to engage a second overseas player, the option remains available to us should we wish to do so on a short-term basis.

"We realise that there has been interest in our position on this matter. We would not have been professional in our role to have made any comment while Martin was confirming his future and handling any legal considerations."

Van Jaarsveld hit 484 runs in seven County Championship matches with Northamptonshire last season.

Kent chief executive Paul Millman has been speaking to KM-fm sports editor Simon Watts about the new signing...