Bond is the most high-profile current international to join

New Zealand's cricket chiefs have told selectors to look beyond those who have joined the unofficial league.

A senior ICL official confirmed Bond had signed a three-year contract.

It means the 32-year-old, who has taken 79 wickets in 17 Tests at an average of 22.39, is likely to miss the upcoming home series against England.

Even before the ICL's announcement, New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan appeared to have given up hope of persuading Bond not to join the league - which is not sanctioned by the International Cricket Council.

606: DEBATE I think that NZ's chances against England have taken a horrible dip now with him gone IKE

"We'd love to see him playing for New Zealand and that is why we have turned over so many stones, but at the moment we are on the back foot," said Vaughan.

"We'd love to see if there was a way to get him out of that contract. We'll fund all the support to get him out of it, similar to what Pakistan has done with Mohammad Yousuf."

Yousuf recently pledged his future to Pakistan after agreeing to cancel his move to the ICL.

Bond, whose contract is reported to be worth more than �400,000, joins six other New Zealand internationals in the ICL.

All-rounders Chris Cairns, Nathan Astle, Chris Harris and Craig McMillan, batsman Hamish Marshall and bowler Daryl Tuffey took part in the recent breakaway Twenty20 league.

The Indian Premier League is due to start in April and now has nearly 50 international players in its line-up.

Bond is the most high-profile current international to have signed up, while retired greats Brian Lara of the West Indies and Pakistan's Inzamam-ul-Haq have also been recruited.