Chris Wright is to join Leicestershire on a two-year deal from the end of this season.
Wright, who will be 33 in a couple of weeks, was a key part of the Warwickshire side that won the County Championship in 2012 (he claimed 62 wickets in the campaign), the T20 Blast in 2014 and the One-Day Cup in 2016. But with the emergence of Henry Brookes and Olly Stone, among others, he is no longer guaranteed a first-team place at the club in all formats and was out of contract at the end of the season.
While the acquisition of another player from a different county might not fit into Leicestershire's plans for youth development, it seems the club are taking contingency measures to off-set the possibility of losing players. Neil Dexter is wanted by Kent, Zac Chappell by eight counties (notably Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire) and, most worryingly, Ben Raine has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave to play Division One cricket. Essex is a possible destination.
It seems likely the club will be without at least two of the three next year even though they are enjoying a resurgence of form that currently has them sitting third in the Division Two table.
"It's a real coup for us to sign Chris, I know that there was plenty of interest in his signature, and we're absolutely delighted that he has decided to join us," Leicestershire head coach, Paul Nixon, said.
"Chris has been a consistent, high-class performer in county cricket and has played a key role in Warwickshire's successes. We know that Chris will slot in seamlessly and add to the quality bowling unit we have here at the Foxes."
The move continues a colourful career for Wright. Having failed to make much impression at Hampshire, where he played youth team cricket, or Middlesex, he was informed he was to be released by Essex mid-way through the 2011 season. He initially joined Warwickshire on loan but, little more than a year later, had impressed with his pace and control in helping the club win the Championship and earning a spot in the England Lions side.
A series of stress fractures effectively ended his hopes of playing at the highest level, but he remains a valuable member of the Warwickshire squad and has featured in all seven of their Championship matches this season. He has not, however, played a first-team limited-overs match in more than a year.
"Chris has won all major trophies across all formats and he has been a great servant to Warwickshire and Birmingham Bears for seven years," Ashley Giles, the director of sport at Warwickshire, said. "He's now in the latter stages of his career, so has had to carefully consider his options, but he will leave Edgbaston with everybody's best wishes in his next challenge with Leicestershire."
"Leicestershire is heading in a good direction," Wright said. "I really hope I can add some experience to what is a good squad with lots of ambition, and helping to win some silverware.
"Everyone I have spoken to about the club has very positive things to say and I can't wait for this new challenge. I would also like to thank everybody involved at Warwickshire Bears for making my time at the club so special."