Jones lured by Hampshire's offer

Jones' last appearance for England came at Trent Bridge in 2005

Simon Jones says he chose Hampshire over Glamorgan because their three-year offer was too good to turn down.

Glamorgan were hoping to re-sign the 30-year-old England fast bowler after his release by Worcestershire.

Jones has suffered with persistent knee problems and the first year of his new contract focuses on rehabilitation.

"For them to be so patient and have a patient plan is a massive boost to me and it's one I couldn't turn down," Welshman Jones told BBC Sport Wales.

"It's been a hard couple of years with injury and to have people interested is great for me.

"They [Hampshire] had a three-year plan for me which really interested me.

"Next year is going to be a rehab year where I do play cricket but not as much as I'd be expected to elsewhere.

"Then in the second and third years I start to kick on and play a lot more games," he explained.

Jones spent nine years at Glamorgan after graduating through the academy at his home-county club.

But he ruptured a cruciate ligament in Brisbane during England's 2002/03 tour to Australia and although he bounced back to help England win the Ashes in 2005, taking 18 wickets in four Tests, he has been dogged by knee problems since then.

Two years ago Jones joined Worcestershire and he took 42 wickets at an average of 18.02 to help his new club win promotion to County Championship Division One, and was named in England's preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy.

606: DEBATE

Jones, if fit, will take more wickets than all of our current seam attack

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However, injury ended his season prematurely and Jones' 2009 campaign never got started as he underwent an operation to have fluid drained from his injured knee in April.

Glamorgan chairman Paul Russell last month claimed the county were "front-runners" to re-sign Jones following his release from Worcestershire.

But Jones said: "It just didn't happen in the end. It's frustrating and stuff but I had a chat with Hampshire and I really liked what they said and I had to do what's best for my career at the end of the day.

"I've read some stuff in the press about what's been said and obviously they [Glamorgan] are very disappointed that things haven't happened. But nothing was put down on paper.

"The season was coming to a close and I just really liked what Hampshire came up with and they showed a little bit more want, so I made my choice and I will stick by it.

"I'm really excited at the prospect of playing for Hampshire now.

"They've got a very, very good side and to be part of that, hopefully we will win some silverware again."