Worcestershire have agreed to release Kabir Ali from the final year of his current contract, leaving him free to join Hampshire.
The former England fast bowler had expressed his desire to leave New Road at the end of last season and link up again with Simon Jones, his former county colleague, at the Rose Bowl.
Worcestershire initially demanded compensation of around £60,000 for the move but Kabir forced the club to reconsider by refusing to attend pre-season training at the beginning of January.
Ali’s departure will be a blow to Worcestershire who also lost opener Stephen Moore to Lancashire and both Steve Davies, their wicketkeeper, and spinner Gareth Batty to Surrey in 2009.
Mark Newton, Worcestershire’s chief executive, said: “Kabir has been with the club for 10 years and we are very sorry to see him go. He has taken 429 first-class wickets for us at 26.85 and has one of the best strike rates in domestic cricket.
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“However we have taken what we believe to be a pragmatic decision. The club is happy with the final outcome. Under director of cricket Steve Rhodes the squad can now prepare for the new season knowing what the situation will be.”